Por Renan Filho · 2026-11-06
**Lead**
Mongolia’s efforts to make childbirth safer have become a defining political issue for the government in Ulaanbaatar, as the country continues to grapple with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in East Asia. Despite decades of investment in healthcare, women in rural and nomadic communities still face a perilous journey to give birth, often travelling hundreds of miles over rough terrain to reach a hospital. The ruling party has made reducing maternal deaths a flagship policy, but progress remains uneven, and the issue has drawn renewed scrutiny from international health organisations and donor nations, including the United Kingdom.
**Context**
Mongolia’s vast geography and sparse population present unique challenges for maternal health. Nearly a third of the population lives a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle, moving with their herds across the steppe. Health facilities are concentrated in urban centres, leaving many pregnant women without access to skilled birth attendants or emergency obstetric care. According to the World Health Organization, the country’s maternal mortality ratio has declined over the past two decades, but it remains significantly higher than the regional average, particularly in provinces such as Khövsgöl, Bayan-Ölgii, and Dornod.
The Mongolian government launched its National Strategy on Maternal and Newborn Health in 2015, aiming to increase the proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel and to improve emergency transport systems. The strategy included the deployment of mobile health teams, the training of traditional birth attendants, and the expansion of the “Mongolian Maternal Waiting Home” programme, which allows women in late pregnancy to stay near a hospital before delivery. However, implementation has been hampered by funding shortfalls, a shortage of midwives, and the harsh climate, which can cut off remote communities for months during winter.
International partners have played a significant role. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has supported the training of midwives and the provision of life-saving equipment. The World Bank has funded infrastructure projects to improve road access to health facilities. The United Kingdom, through its Department for International Development (now part of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office), has historically contributed to maternal health programmes in Mongolia, focusing on strengthening health systems and data collection. While the UK’s direct aid to Mongolia has decreased in recent years, British expertise in midwifery and public health continues to be shared through multilateral channels.
**Analise**
The political stakes for Mongolia’s government are high. Maternal mortality is not merely a health indicator; it is a measure of the state’s ability to deliver on its promises of equity and universal healthcare. In a country where the ruling Mongolian People’s Party has held power for much of the past decade, persistent high maternal deaths in rural areas risk undermining its legitimacy among nomadic herders, a key constituency. Opposition parties have seized on the issue, accusing the government of neglecting the countryside in favour of urban development. The upcoming parliamentary elections in 2028 are likely to see maternal health become a prominent campaign topic.
For the United Kingdom, the situation in Mongolia offers a lens through which to view the broader challenges of global health security. The UK has long championed the cause of ending preventable maternal deaths as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Mongolia’s struggle illustrates that even middle-income countries with strong political will can face structural barriers that require sustained international cooperation. British policymakers and NGOs have used Mongolia as a case study in reports on the importance of investing in rural health infrastructure and the training of community health workers. The UK’s own National Health Service has also drawn lessons from Mongolia’s innovative use of mobile technology to track pregnant women in remote areas.
Moreover, the political dimension of childbirth safety in Mongolia intersects with issues of gender equality and indigenous rights. Women in nomadic communities often have limited decision-making power over their own healthcare, and cultural norms can delay seeking medical help. The government’s efforts to engage with local leaders and to provide culturally sensitive care are seen as a test of its commitment to inclusive governance. International observers note that without addressing these deeper social determinants, technical interventions alone will not suffice.
**Fontes**
- World Health Organization (WHO) – Maternal mortality data and country profiles. - United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) – Reports on maternal health programmes in Mongolia. - Mongolian Ministry of Health – National Strategy on Maternal and Newborn Health (2015–2025). - World Bank – Mongolia Health Sector Review and infrastructure projects. - Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK) – Historical aid allocations and global health strategy documents. - UNICEF Mongolia – Child and maternal health statistics and programme evaluations.