Even a decade ago, child mortality rate in the WHO South-East Asia region was the highest and maternal mortality rate second highest among the six regions of the world health body.

But due to continued efforts by the governments, timely interventions and growing public awareness, the region has performed better than the global averages over the years.

Between 1990 and 2015, the region saw a 69 percent drop (the highest among the six regions) in maternal mortality rate and 64 percent fall in under-five child mortality rate, according to the WHO.

In recognition of the region's efforts by all the 11 member states including Bangladesh, the WHO on Tuesday handed the achievement certificates to the health ministers of the members states in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where the five-day South-East Regional Committee meeting is underway.

The certificates were given for successful elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus. In WHO term, elimination does not mean zero cases, but achieving a set target.

Zahid Maleque, Bangladesh state minister for health, received the award from WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan and Regional Director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh.

In Bangladesh, maternal mortality came down to 176 per 100,000 live births in 2015 from about 399 in 2000 -- the fourth highest drop in the region, WHO data shows.

Over the same period, the mortality rate of children aged under five fell to nearly 38 from 88 per 1,000 live births, and that of neonatal to 23 from 42.

One reason is that more and more mothers are now being attended by skilled health personnel during pregnancy. 

Last year, 42 percent births were attended by such skilled professionals, up from 18 percent in 2007, according to the WHO country statistics.

Another driver has been the reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health coverage.

In the last five years, child immunisation and family planning coverage reached 94 percent and 73 percent respectively, which is among the highest in the region.

However, challenges remain for Bangladesh and the WHO South-East Asia Region, which accounts for 26 percent of the world's population and about 36 percent of the total annual births reported globally.

The regional decline in maternal and child mortality rates still fall short of the MDGs target of 75 percent reduction of maternal mortality and 67 percent reduction of child mortality.