A skilled health worker (doctor, nurse or midwife) at delivery is critical to reducing maternal deaths. In 2006, nearly 61 per cent of births in the developing world were attended by skilled health personnel, up from less than half in 1990. Coverage, however, remains low in Southern Asia (40 per cent) and sub-Saharan Africa (47 per cent) – the two regions with the greatest number of maternal deaths. Assistance by appropriately trained health personnel, with proper equipment and referral options in case of complications, must be standard practice during deliveries if there is to be a noteworthy drop in maternal deaths.