Maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries, including Uzbekistan. Despite significant progress in recent decades, further reduction requires systematic approaches to identify and address gaps in obstetric care. The near-miss audit, which analyzes women who survive life-threatening obstetric complications, has emerged as a powerful tool for improving maternal health services. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of near-miss audits in reducing maternal mortality and improving the quality of obstetric care in Uzbekistan. A theoretical and analytical review of scientific literature, international guidelines, and national health reports was conducted. The results indicate that near-miss audits enable identification of delays in care (delays in seeking, reaching, and receiving care), substandard clinical practices, and health system deficiencies. Implementation of audit findings through structured interventions has been associated with improved case management, enhanced clinical protocols, and reduced maternal mortality ratios in various settings. For Uzbekistan, integrating near-miss audits into the national maternal health strategy offers a promising pathway to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.1. Understanding the principles and implementation of near-miss audits is essential for healthcare professionals, hospital administrators, and policymakers committed to improving maternal outcomes.

maternal mortality, near-miss audit, obstetric complications, maternal health, quality of care, Uzbekistan, critical obstetrics.

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