Kuala Lumpur: The World Health Organisation (WHO) is initiating the “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” campaign, a year-long effort aimed at driving essential actions to ensure quality healthcare for mothers and newborns. This initiative coincides with the celebration of World Health Day 2025.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia is capitalizing on this campaign to showcase its progress in maternal and newborn health. The country remains dedicated to providing comprehensive care to women throughout pregnancy and childbirth while focusing on the health and well-being of newborns.
The WHO and the Health Ministry (MOH), in a joint statement, emphasized that the initiative seeks to inspire global action to reduce preventable deaths. The statement highlighted that investments in quality healthcare, nutrition, skilled professionals, maternal education, and robust healthcare systems are crucial for building healthier societies.
The statement further noted Malaysia’s achievements in maternal healthcare, including significant reductions in maternal mortality. The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2022 reported a decline in maternal mortality from 210 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1963 to 26 deaths per 100,000 in 2022, with 98.1 percent of pregnant women attending at least four antenatal visits.
Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO’s representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore, praised Malaysia’s progress while urging further efforts to reduce maternal mortality. He reiterated WHO’s commitment to collaborate with Malaysia to enhance healthcare quality for women and newborns.
Malaysia was among the first in the WHO Western Pacific Region to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis in 2018. The country plans to further strengthen maternal healthcare with initiatives targeting both physical and mental well-being in 2025 and beyond.
These initiatives include the Tdap vaccination for pregnant women to protect newborns from pertussis and universal Hepatitis B screening to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
Malaysia is also committed to improving maternal and child health by ensuring adequate nutrition. The NHMS 2022 highlighted a reduction in anaemia among pregnant women from 29.3 percent in 2016 to 19.3 percent in 2022.
Additionally, Malaysia has developed the Child Health 2021-2030 national framework to reduce under-five mortality and promote healthy child development, emphasizing the first 1,000 days of life. This framework aims to prevent infant deaths and promote healthy growth through proper nutrition and collaboration with families and communities.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad reiterated MOH’s vision that every mother and baby deserves the best start in life. He assured that the ministry is committed to collaborating with WHO and stakeholders to address preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
He also emphasized the MOH’s dedication to prioritizing women’s long-term health under the inclusive spirit of the Malaysia MADANI framework, ensuring health for all.