Recent estimates of global maternal mortality indicate that for the first time since the Safe
Motherhood Initiative of 1987, deaths due to pregnancy-related causes are on the decline.
Defined as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of
pregnancy, maternal mortality is one of the strongest health statistics showing the
disparity between poor and rich countries. Although a global decline is documented,
challenges to reducing maternal mortality, and meeting Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs) for maternal health remain, particularly in many Sub-Saharan African and
Southeast Asian countries.
This study presents an assessment of Cambodia’s progress towards reaching the
Millennium Development Goal of reducing maternal deaths by ¾ by 2015. The report
examines issues related to the improvement of maternal health, outlining the magnitude,
determinants, and prevention methods of maternal mortality globally and in Cambodia.
Cambodia’s health policies and contextual factors impacting the maternal mortality ratio
such as dramatic increases of skilled health personnel for delivery, delivery in health
facility, and use of antenatal care are identified as key contributors to MMR reduction.
Continued progress in reducing maternal mortality in Cambodia requires improvements
to midwifery skill, competencies around normal and emergency birthing care, and
salaries of midwives as well as an incentive for new graduates to work in the public
sector. An increase in the cooperation between government health centers and hospitals
are crucial to ensure obstetric referrals, supervision of health center staff, and an
improvement in maternal death data collection. Finally a national priority to increase the
use of family planning and safe abortion will significantly contribute to the continued
reduction of MMR.