Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) has the highest maternal mortality ratio in Southeast Asia, with 197 women dying in 2015 from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth for every 100,000 live births. Most of these deaths could be prevented. Mortality is highest among women who are poor, who live in remote rural areas, who have little or no education, and who belong to ethnic minorities. To save women's lives, the Laotian government needs to do three things: increase funding to the health sector; train and employ more healthcare professionals; and provide more supplies and equipment to clinics and hospitals.

This issue of the East-West Wire is based on a seminar that Dr. Estudillo presented at the East-West Center on 19 January 2018. A video of the seminar is available on the Center's website.