Listen to this articleThe Department of Health (DoH) has teamed up with the Interior Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to cut Thailand's preterm birth rate to no more than 8%. The initiative will accelerate proactive health promotion programmes and establish a systematic approach to maternal and child care. According to Dr Tharatip Kholathat, manager of the Thai Maternal and Child Health Network, the preterm birth prevention initiative was piloted in at least 24 provinces over the past two years, with efforts centring on family and community engagement to raise awareness of the consequences of preterm birth. Dr Amporn Benjapolpitak, the DoH director-general, said the collaborative efforts were to address Thailand's current premature birth rate of 9.91%, compared to the global average of 8%. Mothers-to-be are also advised to have a screening test for five risk factors of preterm birth, including diabetes, hypertension, anaemia, vaginal infection, and oral diseases.

Source: Bangkok Post January 13, 2026 10:23 UTC