Hiromi OBARA, MD, MSc

 As of April 2023

Deputy Director, Division of Global Health Policy and Research,
Department of Health Planning and Management

Area of expertise

Reproductive Maternal and Newborn Health (RMNH),
Monitoring and Evaluation of RMNH, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Long-term overseas experiences

Committee member and Advisor

■Global and regional Levels

■Country level

Society

Awards

Publication list

ORCID iD https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4789-4972

■Reproductive, maternal, newborn and women’s health

1. Kitamura T, Obara H, Sugiura Y. Early essential newborn care in national tertiary hospitals in Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022 Oct 4;22(1):745. doi: 10.1186/s12884-022-05056-5 
2. Soeung SC, Tomoko K, Obara H. Knowledge and practice for cervical cancer among female primary school teachers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia: A cross-sectional phone-based survey. GHM Open. 2022 Vol 2 (1) 25-30.doi:10.35772/ghmo.2022.01005.　
3. Kim CR, Lavelanet A, Ganatra B, on behalf of the Abortion Care Guideline Development Group, Enabling access to quality abortion care: WHO‘s Abortion Care guideline. Lancet Glob Health. 2022 Apr;10(4):e467-e468. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(21)00552-0.　
4. Haruyama R, Obara H, Fujita N. Japan resumes active recommendations of HPV vaccine after 8.5 years of suspension. Lancet Oncol. 2022 Feb;23(2):197-198. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(22)00002-X.　
5. Haruyama R, Obara H, Fujita N. et.al. A Review of the Implementation Status of and National Plans on HPV Vaccination in 17 Middle-Income Countries of the situation of Japan against the global goals and targets towards the elimination of cervical canWHO Western Pacific Region. Vaccines (Basel). 2021 Nov 18;9(11):1355.doi: 10.3390/vaccines9111355.　
6. Haruyama R, Obara H, Fujita N. What is the baseline cer? Glob Health Med.2021 Feb 28; 3(1): 44–47.
7. Kikuchi S. Tomoko K. Obara H. Do the Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology members' websites provide information targeting women in the context of the COVID -19 pandemic?J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2020 Oct;46(10):2193- 2194.
8. Zhao Li, Obara H, Sobel HL, et.al. Association between early essential newborn care and breastfeeding outcomes in eight countries in Asia and the Pacific: a cross-sectional observational–study. BMJ Glob Health. 2020 Aug;5(8):e002581.
9. Bellizzi S, Sobel HL, Obara H, Temmerman M. Underuse of modern methods of contraception:underlying causes and consequent undesired pregnancies in 35 low- and middle-income countries.Hum Reprod. 2015 Apr;30 (4):973-86. 
10. Souza JP, Obara H, Gülmezoglu AM, Windmer M, Lawrie TA, Adejuyigbe EA, et al. Maternal and perinatal health research priorities beyond 2015: an international survey and prioritization exercise. Reprod Health. 2014 Aug;11 (1):61. 
11. Obara H, Sobel H. Quality maternal and newborn care to ensure a healthy start for every newborn in the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region. BJOG. 2014 Sep;121 Suppl:154–9.
12. Obara H. The prevalence and determinants of severe maternal morbidity and mortality in the top referral obstetric hospital in Cambodia Hiromi OBARA Complete Version of Paper Submitted in part fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of. MSc in Epidemiology LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE; 2004.
13. Koum K, Hy S, Tiv S, Sieng T, Obara H, Matsui M, et al. Characteristics of antepartum and intrapartum eclampsia in the National Maternal and Child Health Center in Cambodia. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2004 Apr;30 (2):749. 
14. Koum K, Sann CS, Obara H, Fujita N, et al. Maternal death cases in the top referral hospital in Cambodia. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2002 Feb;28 (1):13–
15. Obara H, Minakami H, Matsubara S. et al. Vaginal birth after cesarean delivery: results in 310 pregnancies. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 1998 Apr;24(2):129–34. 

■Health Policy and health systems

1. Yokobori Y, Obara H, Yasuo Sugiura Y, et al. Rapid assessment of the civil registration and vital statistics performance of health facilities in the five districts of Zambia: A cross-sectional study. Heliyon. 2021 Nov 11;7(11):e08367. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08367. eCollection 2021 Nov.
2. Yokobori Y, Obara H, Yasuo Sugiura Y, et al. Gaps in the civil registration and vital statistics systems of low- and middle-income countries and the health sector’s role in improving the situation. Glob Health Med 2021 Aug 31;3(4):243-245. 
3. Obara H. Fujita N. Hidechika A, et al. Sustainable implementation of international health cooperation projects while Japanese technical experts cannot go to low- and middle-income countries because of the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions. Glob Health Med. 2020 Apr 30;2(2):148-150.
4. Kitamura T, Obara H, Nagai M, et al. World Health Assembly Agendas and trends of international health issues for the last 43 years: Analysis of World Health Assembly Agendas between 1970 and 2012. Health Policy. 2013 May;110 (2-3):198-206. 
5. Matsuoka S, Obara H, Nagai M, Murakami H, Lon RC. Performance-based financing with GAVI health system strengthening funding in rural Cambodia: a brief assessment of the impact. Health Policy Plan. 2014 Jul;29 (4):456-65.

■Infertility and clinical obstetrics & Gynecology

1. Shibahara H, Obara H, Tawati A, et al. Prediction of pregnancy by intrauterine insemination using CASA estimates and strict criteria in patients with male factor infertility. Int J Androl. 2004 Apr; 27 (2):63–8. 
2. Shibahara H, Obara H, Kikuchi K, et al. Prediction of Human Sperm Fertilizing Ability by the Hyperactivated Motility Patterns. J Mamm Ova Res. 2003;20 (1):29–33.
3. TAWATI A, Shibahara H, Obara H,, et al. Influence of endometrial thickness and pattern on pregnancy rates in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Reprod Med Biol 2002;1 (1):17–21. 
4. Shibahara H, Suzuki T, Obara H, et al. Establishment and application of criteria for the elective transfer of two good-quality embryos to reduce high-order multiple pregnancies. Reprod Med Biol. 2002;1 (1):23–9. 
5. Suzuki T, Shibahara H, Obara H, et al. Accuracy of the normal sperm morphology value by Sperm Quality Analyzer IIC: comparison with the strict criteria. Int J Androl. 2002 Feb;25 (1):49–54.
6. Takamizawa S, Shibahara H, Obara H, et al. Dynamic changes of the immunoglobulins in patients with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: efficacy of a novel treatment using peritoneo-venous shunt. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2002 Jan;47(1):25–30.
7. Taneichi A, Shibahara H, Obara H, Fujiwara H, et al. Sperm immobilizing antibodies in the sera of infertile women cause low fertilization rates and poor embryo quality in vitro. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2002 Jan;47 (1):46–51.
8. Obara H, Shibahara H, Sato I, et al. Prediction of unexpectedly poor fertilization and pregnancy outcome using the strict criteria for sperm morphology before and after sperm separation in IVF–ET Int J Androl. 2001 Apr;24(2):102-8. 
9. Watanabe T, Minakami, Obara H, et al. Effect of labor on maternal dehydration, starvation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis : Journal of Perinatal Medicine. J Perinat Med. 2001 Jan;29 (6):528-34.
10. Shibahara H, Fujiwara H, Obara H, et al. Usefulness of transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy in investigating infertile women with Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Hum Reprod. 2001 Aug;16 (8):1690–3. 
11. Shibahara H, Obara H , Sato I. et. al. Activity of testis angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in ejaculated human spermatozoa. Int J Androl. 2001 Oct;24 (5):295-9.
12. Hirano Y, Shibahara H, Obara H, et al. Relationships between sperm motility characteristics assessed by the computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) and fertilization rates in vitro. J Assist Reprod Genet 2001 Apr;18 (4):213–8.
13. Watanabe T, Minakami H, Obara H, et al. Effect of Heparin on Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time in Patients Undergoing Gynecologic or Obstetric Surgery. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2001;51 (3):178-83. 

Other publications

■Translated book

1. Pill book by the pill doctor (Japanese translation of The Pill Book by Professor John Guillebaud), compiled by Dr T Saotome, Medical tribune publisher, 2001. (I translated one chapter of the book). Amazon Site

■Japanese articles

1. Fujita N. Obara H. Haruyama R. Health and Medical Activity Award Presentation. Abstract. Activities for Strengthening Human Resource Development Systems to Improve Maternal and Child Health and Obstetrics/Gynecology Care in Developing Countries - Developing Countries, Global Level, and Japan: Past and Future of Obstetricians and Gynecologists -.Acta Obstetrica Et Gynaecologica Japonica vol74. 2022. 
2. Hoken no Kagaku, Kyorin shoin publisher. Vol. 62. No.3 Global Reproductive Health Issues, Global Trend in Maternal health and care. 2020
3. International Health and Medicine 3rd version compiled by the Japan Association for International Health, Kyorin shoin publisher. 2013. (I am the author of the chapter on Reproductive health/population and family planning.)

Publications to support country level RMNCH programme

■WHO recommendations contributed as a member of Guideline Development Group

1. WHO recommendations on outpatient settings for induction of labour.2022
2. WHO recommendations on induction of labour, at or beyond term.2022
3. WHO recommendations on mechanical methods for induction of labour.2022
4. WHO recommendations on antenatal corticosteroids for improving preterm birth outcomes.2022
5. WHO recommendation on tocolytic therapy for improving preterm birth outcomes.2022
6. WHO Abortion Care Guideline. 2022
7. WHO recommendations on antiplatelet agents for the prevention of pre-eclampsia. 2021
8. WHO Updated recommendations on the prevention and treatment of maternal peripartum infections.
   ▶WHO recommendation on Routine antibiotic prophylaxis for women undergoing operative vaginal birth, 2021
   ▶WHO recommendation on Prophylactic antibiotics for women undergoing caesarean section, 2021
   ▶WHO recommendations on Choice of antiseptic agent and method of application for preoperative skin preparation for caesarean section, 2021
   ▶WHO recommendation on Vaginal preparation with antiseptic agents for women undergoing caesarean section, 2021
9. WHO recommendation on antihypertensive drugs for non-severe hypertension in pregnancy, 2020
10. WHO, Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus: Guidelines on antiviral prophylaxis in pregnancy, 2020.
11. WHO, Recommendation on calcium supplementation before pregnancy for the prevention of pre-eclampsia and its complications, 2020.
12. WHO, Contraceptive eligibility for women at high risk of HIV - Guidance statement Recommendations on contraceptive methods used by women at high risk of HIV, 2019
13. WHO Recommendations on Uterotonics for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage, 2018
14. WHO Recommendations on Intrapartum Care for a Positive Childbirth Experience, 2018
15. WHO Recommendation on tranexamic acid for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage 2018
16. WHO Medical management of abortion, 2018
17. WHO updated recommendations, 2018
    ▶Drug treatment for severe hypertension in pregnancy
    ▶Policy of interventionist versus expectant management of severe pre-eclampsia before term
    ▶Calcium supplementation during pregnancy for prevention of pre-eclampsia and its complications
    ▶Induction of labour at or beyond term

■WHO publications acknowledged

1. WHO, Success factors for women’s and children’s health: Lao PDR, 2015
2. WHO, Success factors for women’s and children’s health: China, 2015
3. WHO, Success factors for women’s and children’s health: Viet Nam, 2015
4. WHO, Success factors for women’s and children’s health: Cambodia, 2015
5. WHO. Success factors for women’s and children’s health: Policy and programme highlights from 10 fast-track countries. WHO, 2014 (Acknowledged as a technical supporter)
6. WHO. Trends in Maternal Mortality:1990 to 2013 Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, The World Bank and the United Nations Population Division. WHO, 2014
7. WHO. Regional Framework for Reproductive Health in the Western Pacific. WHO, 2013
8. WHO. Recommendations for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage, WHO 2012

■Newborn care measurement, country progress monitoring on newborn care

1. WHO, Third biennial progress report: 2018-2020 (‎Action Plan for Health Newborn Infants in the Western Pacific Region: 2014-2020)‎　Published in 2022.
2. WHO, Third Biennial Meeting on Accelerating Progress in Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC): Synergies with Hospital Quality and Safety, December 2020 Virtual meeting, Meeting Report. 2021 (Contributed as a temporary advisor/member of Independent Review Group)
3. WPRO, Second biennial progress report (2016-2017), 2018 (Contributed as a member of Independent Review Group)
4. SWPRO, Second Biennial Meeting on Accelerating Progress in Early Essential Newborn Care, Da Nang, Viet Nam, Meeting report, 2017 (Contributed as a member of Independent Review Group)
5. WPRO. First Embrace- First biennial progress report 2017 (Contributed as a member of Independent Review Group)
6. WPRO. Workshop on validation of early essential newborn care progress (Contributed as a resource person) 2015
7. WPRO. Meeting Report: Meeting on Accelerating Progress in Early Essential Newborn Care, Tokyo, Japan, 21-25 September 2015 (Contributed as co-host and temporary advisor)
8. WHO. Action Plan for Healthy Newborn Infants in the Western Pacific Region (2014-2020). WHO, 2014

■Country level policy, strategy, plan and evaluation

1. Ministry of Health, Lao PDR, Revised version of MCH handbook, 2019
2. Ministry of Health, Lao PDR, National Health Insurance Strategy 2017-2020, 2017
3. Ministry of Health, Lao PDR, National Strategy and Action Plan for Integrated Services on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health 2016-2020 (Acknowledged as a consultant)
4. Puttney P, Phrasisombath K, Obara H. Evaluation of Lao PDR’s strategy and planning framework for integrated package of maternal neonatal and child health service 2009-2015

■Invited speakers

1. Pregnancy and Diabetes, Semi-annual meeting, Cambodian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. June 2019
2. Impact of access to midwifery services on the neonate. The Second Global Midwifery Symposium on “Strengthening Quality Midwifery Care: Making Strides, Addressing Challenges” Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2013 Pregnancy and Diabetes, Semi-annual meeting, Cambodian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. June 2019
3. Situation of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health（MNCH）in Resource-Limited Settings and Progress towards Millennium Development Goals 4 ＆ 5 - Possible Ways in which Human Resources in Japan could Contribute to Improving MNCH around the World International Workshop 64th Annual Congress of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Kobe Japan. 2012.

■Web story and newspaper

1. Award-winning OB-GYN: Japanese health advisor achieves global recognition for efforts in Laos. The Laotian Times, Nov 2018