Mid-term Review Report: Maternity Waiting Homes in Cao Bang province

The districts of Bao Lam and Bao Lac, where Tay, Nung and H’mong ethnic groups reside, are very difficult to access due to challenging terrain and dangerous transportation. Among the ethnic groups, the H’mong people account for around 90% of the population. The prevalence of home deliveries without the support of a health worker is as high as 70%. In order to improve the maternal mortality caused by obstetric complications, the World Health Organization has supported the Safe Motherhood Program in Cao Bang province to implement a pilot model of maternity waiting homes (MWHs) in two district general hospitals – Bao Lam and Bao Lac. MWHs are units where high-risk women and pregnant women living in remote geographic areas can be accommodated for 1-2 weeks prior to giving birth…