Evaluating the Impact of Official Development Assistance (ODA) on Reducing Maternal Mortality Rates in Asian-Pacific Developing Countries

The study explores the relationship between Official Development Assistance (ODA) and maternal mortality in 24 developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Despite significant progress in development in many high-income nations, developing countries still face persistent challenges, particularly in maternal health, with rising maternal mortality rates. This research aims to investigate the impact of ODA on reducing maternal mortality in these countries over a period spanning from 2000 to 2020. Utilizing panel data for 24 developing Asian-Pacific countries, the study adopts a quantitative and explanatory approach, employing purposive sampling based on the classification of countries as low-income or lower-middle-income. The analysis was conducted using STATA 18.0, with a focus on a fixed effects model, followed by the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) to confirm the robustness of the results. Secondary data for the analysis were sourced from the World Bank (WB) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The findings of the study reveal a significant negative correlation between Net Official Development Assistance (NODA) and maternal mortality rates. Furthermore, factors such as HIV prevalence and access to sanitation services were found to influence maternal health outcomes. Specifically, higher HIV prevalence was linked to higher maternal mortality, while improved sanitation services contributed to a reduction in maternal deaths. Interestingly, the study found that GDP growth was positively correlated with maternal mortality, which suggests that economic growth alone may not be sufficient to reduce maternal deaths. This finding emphasizes the complexity of the relationship between economic development and health outcomes, highlighting that economic growth needs to be complemented by targeted interventions in healthcare, education, and sanitation. The study concludes that for long-term improvements in maternal health outcomes, effective aid management, institutional reforms, and robust monitoring systems are crucial. Policymakers in developing countries should recognize the interconnectedness of economic growth, education, healthcare infrastructure, and sanitation services when designing strategies to reduce maternal mortality. Moreover, international aid, particularly NODA, plays a vital role in improving maternal health outcomes in resource-constrained settings. Therefore, the study advocates for a comprehensive and coordinated approach that combines both domestic policy improvements and international support to achieve sustainable reductions in maternal mortality.