India’s latest MMR Shows a Declining Trend 

Syllabus :GS 2/Health

In News

• India’s latest Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) data was released by the Registrar-General of India.

Maternal death

• It is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes.
  • One of the key indicators of maternal mortality is the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) which is defined as the number of maternal deaths during a given time period per 100,000 live births during the same time period.
• The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim at reducing global MMR to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.

Recent Findings 

• Maternal Mortality Ratio in India dropped to 93 per 100,000 live births in 2019–21, down from 97 (2018–20) and 103 (2017–19).
• The highest MMR occurs in the 20-29 age group, and the second highest in the 30-34 age group.
• Several States, including Madhya Pradesh (175), Assam (167), Uttar Pradesh (151), Odisha (135), Chhattisgarh (132), West Bengal (109), and Haryana (106), have high MMRs.

Issues and Concerns 

• Maternal mortality remains a critical public health issue in India.
  • It serves as a key indicator of healthcare quality and accessibility, reflecting the effectiveness of maternal health services. 
• Most  maternal deaths occur due to complications from pregnancy, childbirth, or abortion, not from accidental causes.

Government Initiatives to Reduce MMR

• India has committed to the UN target for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for MMR at 70 per 1,00,000 live births by 2030 and NHP (National Health Policy) 2017 target for MMR less than 100 per 1,00,000 live births by 2020.
  •  India has accomplished the National Health Policy (NHP) target for MMR.
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) supports all States/UTs in implementation of Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child, Adolescent health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) strategy under National Health Mission (NHM) based on the Annual Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) submitted by States/ UTs to reduce MMR & Neonatal Mortality Rate.
• Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): Launched in 2005, it promotes institutional deliveries among poor and marginalized women (SC/ST/BPL) to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): A maternity benefit scheme offering ₹5,000 for the first live birth to eligible women. Under PMMVY 2.0 (from April 2022), additional incentives are given if the second child is a girl, to promote positive behavioural change.
• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK): Started in 2011, it eliminates out-of-pocket costs for pregnant women and sick newborns by providing free delivery, transport, medicines, diagnostics, and diet in public facilities.
• Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN): Launched in 2019, it ensures free, respectful, and quality healthcare for all pregnant women and newborns, aiming to eliminate preventable deaths.
• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): Initiated in 2016, it provides free antenatal care on the 9th of every month.
  • The e-PMSMA extension targets high-risk pregnancies with individual tracking and financial incentives. Over 5.9 crore women have benefited by March 2025.

Conclusion and Way Forward 

• India has made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality, successfully achieving the National Health Policy (NHP) target of an MMR below 100 by 2020. However, continued efforts are required to reach the SDG target of MMR below 70 by 2030. 
• Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding maternal health programs, and addressing socioeconomic barriers will be critical in further reducing maternal mortality in the country.

Source :TH