Midwives help reduce maternal mortality rate in Cambodia

The Cambodian government has deployed trained midwives to rural areas and encouraged more pregnant women to access healthcare in health centres. Photos: Reuters

After three deliveries, including a stillborn, at her home in Perah Andong village in Cambodia, Yeng Sienghay gave birth to a healthy baby girl in the local health centre about four months ago, overseen by three midwives.

Unlike her previous three pregnancies when Yeng did not visit the health centre even once, this time around she went to the centre every month – and every week in her eighth month – and diligently followed the midwife’s instructions.