Bhutan

MDGs Goal 5: Improve maternal health

Target 6: Reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio

Bhutan has gained enormous ground in improving the health of mothers in the country. This is broadly attributable to general developments such as the enhanced socio-economic well-being of the population, improved health standards and better access to and quality of reproductive health services, including prenatal care. The country is currently on track towards achieving the MDG target of reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) by three quarters to 140 or less per 100,000 live births.

Significant progress has been achieved in reducing the maternal mortality rate in the country. Between 1990 and 2000, the MMR per 100,000 live births was reduced from 560 to 255. The halving of MMR in that relatively short span of time represents a phenomenal achievement.  Since MMR is still very high the Royal Government has already established 20 basic Emergency Obstetric Care centers (EmOC) and 9 CEmOC centers. In addition to these facilities which are being further strengthened, new policies aimed at increasing institutional deliveries are expected to lower maternal mortality significantly.

The proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel has more than doubled from 15% to 32% between 1990 and 2003. The policy is to drastically increase the proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel. A major hurdle to this is the highly dispersed nature of settlements and the walking distance from households to the local health units. As providing full skilled attendance at birth in homes will remain an enormous constraint, the Royal Government encourages women to deliver in adequately staffed and equipped obstetric centers to minimize both child and maternal deaths.