Maternal and Child Health in Asia: How Asian Philanthropy Can Meet the Moment

Maternal and child health (MCH) is critical to global health, poverty alleviation, and economic development. Yet across Asia, the impressive gains made over the past two decades in reducing maternal and child mortality are now at risk. The withdrawal of foreign assistance—such as from the United States, historically a major supporter of MCH in Asia—raises concerns about sustaining this progress in the region. 

In response to these shifts in international development funding, this report from the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS) examines how domestic philanthropy in China, Indonesia, India, and the Philippines has contributed to MCH.  

It shows how domestic philanthropy has brought unique resources and know-how to the table alongside critical capital, highlighting areas where it has already made an impact: strengthening the capacity of health workers, supporting the local implementation of national policies, improving access to services in remote and underserved regions, and aligning with national nutrition programs for mothers and children. 

Asian philanthropy has demonstrated its potential to support MCH. This report explores how those contributions can be built upon to ensure that hard-won progress is not lost.