Maternal healthcare in Guatemala still faces major challenges despite some improvement. Maternal mortality remains relatively high, especially among Indigenous women.

The main issues are limited access to care in rural areas, inequality, shortages of skilled medical staff, weak healthcare facilities, and cultural and language barriers. These factors lead to many preventable deaths, often occurring outside hospitals. 

 

San Juan Bautista Regional Hospital is working to improve maternal healthcare by expanding 24/7 emergency obstetric services, including C-sections and hemorrhage care, with plans for a future blood bank. It is also strengthening referral systems to connect rural clinics and midwives with hospital care and improve transportation for faster treatment.

The hospital is beginning to train and collaborate with traditional midwives to better recognize complications and coordinate care. At the same time, it is expanding prenatal and postnatal services, such as checkups and education, and investing in improved diagnostics like ultrasound and lab services to better manage high-risk pregnancies.