Bhutan

MDG 5: Improve Maternal Health

Bhutan has reduced maternal mortality rates (MMR) by about half between 1990 and 2000 from 560 in 1990 to 255 in 2000.  While this represents a dramatic drop, the MMR is still regarded to be high. No recent data on the maternal mortality rates have been available.  Despite the lack of data between 2000 and 2007, there are indications that with vastly improved access to critical reproductive health services including antenatal care, and the establishment of numerous emergency obstetric care centers, Bhutan is well on track to achieve the MDG target of reducing maternal mortality to below 140 per 100,000 live births by 2015. The Royal Government has set even more ambitious national targets with maternal mortality expected to be brought down to 100 per 100,000 live births by 2013.

Most maternal deaths are due to post-partum hemorrhage occuring either at home or because women arrive too late at hospitals which necessitates easy access to emergency obstetric care services.