MOH, WHO COMMITTED TO IMPROVING MATERNAL AND NEWBORN HEALTH

PUTRAJAYA, April 8 (Bernama) -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) is kicking off the year-long "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures" campaign, calling for immediate and decisive actions to ensure every mother and newborn receive quality healthcare to commemorate World Health Day 2025.

Malaysia leverages this opportunity to highlight the country's achievements in improving the health of mothers and babies, and its continued commitment towards ensuring every woman has access to comprehensive care during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond, while also safeguarding the health and well-being of newborns.

The WHO and the Health Ministry (MOH), in a joint press release, said the "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures" initiative aims to inspire global action to lay the foundation for healthier, more prosperous societies by reducing preventable deaths. 

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"This can be achieved by investing in quality healthcare, better nutrition, skilled professionals, maternal education and robust healthcare systems for the future of our communities and nations," the statement said today.

It added that Malaysia has made significant strides in improving maternal healthcare, providing widespread coverage of essential services.

According to Malaysia's National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2022, maternal mortality has decreased markedly, decreasing from 210 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1963 to 26 deaths per 100,000 in 2022, as well as widespread access to antenatal visits with 98.1 per cent of pregnant women attending at least four visits. 

Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe, the WHO representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, while hailing the remarkable progress, said Malaysia should be striving to further reduce maternal mortality. 

"We have the power to change this. WHO is committed to working together with our partners and the government of Malaysia for not just better access to care, but a transformation in the quality of healthcare that women and newborns receive," he said.

Malaysia was one of the first countries in the WHO Western Pacific Region to be certified as having eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis in 2018 and continues to strengthen maternal healthcare with new initiatives planned in 2025 and beyond, focusing on both physical and mental well-being.

These include the Tdap vaccination for pregnant women to protect newborns from pertussis (whooping cough) and universal Hepatitis B screening for early detection and treatment to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission.

Malaysia remains committed to enhancing maternal and child health by ensuring adequate nutrition, and there has been a reduction in anaemia among pregnant mothers from 29.3 per cent as highlighted in NHMS 2016 to 19.3 per cent in NHMS 2022.

Malaysia has also developed the Child Health 2021-2030 national framework to reduce under-five mortality and promote healthy child development with a strong emphasis on the first 1,000 days of life. 

This framework addresses the prevention of infant deaths, promotes healthy growth with proper nutrition as well as enhances collaboration with families, communities and other sectors to improve safety, education and healthcare access.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad shared that MOH's vision is clear: "… every mother and baby deserves the best possible start in life”. 

"This is the core of our 'Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures' campaign. We are committed to a collaborative effort with WHO and relevant stakeholders, to address preventable maternal and newborn deaths," he said.

Furthermore, he said the MOH is dedicated to prioritising women's long-term health and well-being, ensuring 'health for all' through the inclusive spirit under the government's Malaysia MADANI framework.

-- BERNAMA