Go Back to Publication
2025

Bridging The Gap of Preventable Maternal Mortality and Morbidity (PMMM) in Lao PDR

asia

Maternal mortality and morbidity persist as critical public health challenges in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), with disproportionate impacts on rural and ethnically marginalized populations. Despite national efforts and policy commitments, maternal mortality and morbidity remain significant public health concerns in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), disproportionately affecting rural and ethnically marginalized populations. Many maternal deaths are preventable and stem from structural, behavioral, and health system barriers that hinder timely and quality obstetric care.

This study, Bridging the Gap of Preventable Maternal Mortality and Morbidity (PMMM) in Lao PDR, aims to inform national strategies by examining the root causes of maternal deaths through the lens of the “Three Delays” model (Thaddeus & Maine, 1994). It pursues four key objectives: (1) analyze policy implementation gaps using Framework Analysis; (2) assess maternal mortality trends from 2000 to 2023; (3) evaluate disparities in access to antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care; and (4) investigate the impact of delays in care-seeking, access, and service provision, with particular attention to unsafe abortion and other preventable causes.

Download (*.pdf)
This is the logo of the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW).
  • arrow@arrow.org.my
  • ||
  • +603 2273 9913/14
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Youtube
© 2026 all rights reserved. Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW)

ARROW Policies - Policy on PSHAE | Child Safeguarding Policy | Anti-Corruption Policy

Vietnam

  • Centre for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP)

Sri Lanka

  • Bakamoono;
  • Women and Media Collective (WMC),
  • Youth Advocacy Network – Sri Lanka (YANSL)

Singapore

  • End Female Genital Cutting Singapore
  • Reproductive Rights (WGNRR)

Philippines

  • Democratic Socalist Women of the Philippines (DSWP);
  • Galang;
  • Healthcare Without Harm;
  • Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities;
  • Likhaan Centre for Women’s Health;
  • Nisa UI Haqq Fi Bangsamoro;
  • PATH Foundation Inc. (PFPI);
  • Women’s Global Network for
    Reproductive Rights (WGNRR)

Pakistan

  • Aahung, Centre for Social Policy Development (CSPD);
  • Forum for Dignity Initiative (FDI);
  • Gravity Development Organization; Green Circle Organization;
  • Indus Resources Center (IRC);
  • Idara-e-Taleem-O-Aaghai (ITA);
  • Rehnuma – Family Planning Association Pakistan;
  • Shelter
    Participatory Organisation;
  • Shirkat Gah;
  • The Enlight Lab

Nepal

  • Beyond Beijing Committee (BBC);
  • Blind Youth Association of Nepal;
  • Blue Diamond Society (BDS);
  • Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA);
  • Visible Impact;
  • Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC);
  • YPEER Nepal;
  • YUWA

Myanmar

  • Colourful Girls Organization;
  • Green Lotus Myanmar

Maldives

  • Hope for Women;
  • Society for Health Education (SHE)

Malaysia

  • Federation of Reproductive Health Associations of Malaysia (FRHAM);
  • Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG);
  • Justice for Sisters (JFS);
  • Reproductive Health Association of
    Kelantan (ReHAK);
  • Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia (RRAAM);
  • Sisters in Islam (SIS)

Lao PDR

  • Lao Women’s Union;
  • The Faculty of Postgraduate Studies at the University of Health
    Sciences (UHS)

Indonesia

  • Aliansi Satu Visi (ASV);
  • CEDAW Working Group;
  • Hollaback! Jakarta;
  • Institut Kapal Perempuan;
  • Kalyanamitra;
  • Komnas Perempuan;
  • Remaja Independen Papua/Independent Youth
    Forum Papua (FRIP/IYFP);
  • Perkumpulan Keluarga Berencana Indonesia (PKBI);
  • Perkumpulan Lintas Feminis Jakarta;
  • Perkumpulan Pamflet Generasi;
  • RUTGERS Indonesia;
  • Sanggar SWARA;
  • Women on Web;
  • Yayasan Kesehatan Perempuan (YKP); 
  • YIFOS Indonesia

India

  • CommonHealth;
  • Love Matters India;
  • Pravah;
  • Rural Women’s Social Education Centre (RUWSEC);
  • SAHAYOG;
  • Sahaj;
  • Sahiyo;
  • SAMA – Resource Group for Women and Health;
  • WeSpeakOut;
  • The YP Foundation (TYPF)

Fiji

Cambodia

Morocco

  • Association Marocaine de Planification Familiale (AMPF),
  • Morocco Family Planning Association
Bridging The Gap of Preventable Maternal Mortality and Morbidity (PMMM) in Lao PDR

Maternal mortality and morbidity persist as critical public health challenges in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), with disproportionate impacts on rural and ethnically marginalized populations. Despite national efforts and policy commitments, maternal mortality and morbidity remain significant public health concerns in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), disproportionately affecting rural and ethnically marginalized populations. Many maternal deaths are preventable and stem from structural, behavioral, and health system barriers that hinder timely and quality obstetric care.

This study, Bridging the Gap of Preventable Maternal Mortality and Morbidity (PMMM) in Lao PDR, aims to inform national strategies by examining the root causes of maternal deaths through the lens of the “Three Delays” model (Thaddeus & Maine, 1994). It pursues four key objectives: (1) analyze policy implementation gaps using Framework Analysis; (2) assess maternal mortality trends from 2000 to 2023; (3) evaluate disparities in access to antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care; and (4) investigate the impact of delays in care-seeking, access, and service provision, with particular attention to unsafe abortion and other preventable causes.

Bangladesh

Maldives

  • Hope for Women
  • Society for Health Education (SHE)

Mongolia

  • MONFEMNET National Network