World Bank touts health advances

The proportion of Cambodian babies delivered by trained professionals in health centres has doubled over the past seven years, according to the World Bank, though one observer yesterday cautioned that the fight against maternal and infant mortality was hardly won.

In 2008 only 39 per cent of Cambodian women gave birth in a hospital or clinic compared to 80 per cent last year, the bank revealed on Friday in the results of its Second Health Sector Project which was designed to help implement the government’s 2008-2015 health strategic plan.

Dr Ping Chutema, director of clinical services at Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC), said the figures were promising and no doubt led to a drop in maternal and infant mortality rates, though roadblocks to maternal health persisted.

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