- Prof. Vinod Paul, Chairperson of the Regional Technical Advisory Group and Member of NITI Aayog, Govt of India,
- Member States Representatives, Partners, Colleagues and Associates
Good morning, and a very warm welcome to all of you.
Since its inception in 2015, the South-East Asia Region - Technical Advisory Group for women’s and children’s health has provided guidance and support, steering our collective efforts for the advancement of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health.
Over the years, the Advisory Group has played a pivotal role in shaping the regional response to the challenges posed by maternal and child mortality, particularly with a focused approach on reducing newborn mortality.
The Advisory Group has deliberated on key technical priorities and provided invaluable recommendations that have translated into tangible improvements in the coverage, quality, and measurement of RMNCAH services across our member states.
The progress we have achieved is a testament to our commitment and collaboration. Our South-East Asia Region, with 26% of the world’s population - and 25% of total annual births, has made significant strides in reducing maternal and newborn mortality over the years.
During the MDG era we witnessed commendable progress, with the region experiencing the maximum reduction in maternal mortality ratio (MMR) - a 78% decrease from 1990 to 2020. Similarly, there was a notable decline of 67% in the neonatal mortality ratio (NMR) during the same period, albeit lower than other regions.
Our Member States show a variable picture in terms of mortality rates. Some countries have achieved significant milestones in reducing maternal and newborn mortality and stillbirths, while others continue to face formidable barriers.
Till date, seven countries have achieved MMR below 140 per 100,000 live births.
Six countries have achieved the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2 target for Under-5 Mortality Rate, and the NMR target has been achieved by five countries.
The 2030 Stillbirth Rate target of 12 or less stillbirths per 1000 total births has also been achieved by six countries in our region.
Nonetheless, our journey is far from over.
Despite the rapid progress, the stark reality is that we have approximately 1600 newborn deaths every day in our region. The majority are from preventable causes, such as preterm births, asphyxia, congenital anomalies, and infections.
Addressing this, whether in terms of coverage and quality of evidence-based intervention packages, or socio-economic factors, requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders.
The SDGs have brought about a paradigm shift in our approach, emphasizing not just survival but also the holistic well-being of women and children. Central to this is Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which envisions a healthcare system that ensures access to quality services without financial hardship. It is incumbent upon us to adopt a UHC approach and strengthen our primary healthcare systems to deliver comprehensive, equitable care across the life course.
Furthermore, initiatives such as the Global Every Newborn Action Plan, and Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality, underscore the collective resolve of all our partners to end preventable deaths and improve outcomes. By aligning our efforts with these global frameworks, and prioritizing evidence-based interventions, we can accelerate progress towards our shared goals.
However, our work does not end with survival.
We must also focus on ensuring that newborns not only survive but thrive. For this to happen, a supportive environment must be provided that addresses their health, nutrition, safety, and early learning needs. This holistic approach is essential for laying the foundation for healthy development and fulfilling lives.
The health of women and children is of particular importance to me, and hence is the focus of one of our Priority Programmes. Thank you all for the excellent work you do and thank you for helping build a future where every newborn has the opportunity to not only survive but thrive.