Nongmek village: When the rains fall on Nongmek village in Paksong district, Champassak Province, the road disappears. The first four kilometres are unpaved, and during the wet season, the red earth turns to thick mud, making it impossible for motorbikes to pass. For families in remote areas, this is more than an inconvenience; it can mean the difference between a safe birth and a life-threatening emergency.

According to Lao News Agency, Ms. Vongdeuane Muenluang, a 25-year-old graduate midwife, is among a growing number of ethnic community students supported through UNFPA's investments in midwifery education in the Lao PDR. Her personal journey reflects a national priority: ensuring that every woman, regardless of her location or language, can access skilled care during pregnancy and childbirth.

Before beginning her training, Vongdeuane witnessed a tragic birth in her community. A young mother endured severe pain for two days, refusing to go to the health centre. Only after a village midwife recognized the danger was she referred to the hospital. Though the mother's life was saved through a caesarean section, the baby did not survive, motivating Vongdeuane to study midwifery and prevent such tragedies.

Midwives are often the first and sometimes only skilled health workers available to pregnant women in remote districts. They provide essential antenatal care, detect danger signs early, support safe deliveries, and respond to emergencies. Beyond clinical care, midwives also build trust, particularly in remote and ethnic communities where barriers like language, cultural norms, and limited information can prevent women from seeking timely care.

Vongdeuane's path to becoming a midwife was also shaped by personal loss. Her father's sudden passing during her studies nearly forced her to quit. However, her mother's encouragement and a UNFPA scholarship for ethnic midwifery students allowed her to continue and graduate with top marks.

Now, as a trained midwife, Vongdeuane highlights the importance of speaking the local language in providing antenatal care and addressing cultural taboos affecting nutrition during pregnancy. She urges pregnant women to seek early and regular care, emphasizing the safety of giving birth where skilled care is available.

Strengthening maternal health in the Lao PDR requires skilled midwives who can reach remote communities with culturally appropriate services. UNFPA collaborates with the Government of the Lao PDR to support midwifery education and training, with a focus on increasing the number of midwives from ethnic backgrounds.

For Vongdeuane, volunteering at Champassak Provincial Hospital is a step towards her goal of returning home to serve women facing the same barriers she once saw. She encourages girls in her community to consider midwifery as a pathway for personal growth and a means to reduce maternal and newborn deaths in remote areas.

In Nongmek village, while the roads may still turn to mud, having a midwife who understands the local language and life can bridge the gap between home and safety, ensuring that every mother has access to a safe birth and skilled care.