India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has seen a remarkable decline over the past three decades. In 1990, the MMR was a concerning 556 per lakh live births, but by 2020, it had reduced to 97. This signifies an impressive decrease of 82.5 percent, highlighting the progress made in maternal health.
Several government initiatives have played a crucial role in this significant drop in MMR. Efforts to promote institutional births, enhance emergency transportation, and improve healthcare quality for mothers have been pivotal. Programs like Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) have encouraged institutional deliveries by providing cash assistance and ensuring post-delivery care.
When comparing India’s MMR with global statistics, the country’s progress is notable. In 2020, India's MMR was reported at 97 (or 103 according to UNICEF), which is significantly lower than the global MMR of 223. This indicates that India’s reduction in MMR has outpaced the global decline.
Despite the progress, India has not yet achieved the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target for MMR. The goal is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030, and India’s current figures remain above this threshold.
India’s MMR is currently lower than the South Asian average, which stands at 138. However, some neighboring countries, such as Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, have reported lower MMRs than India, indicating a disparity in maternal health outcomes across the region.
Various government initiatives have been instrumental in supporting the reduction of MMR in India. Programs such as POSHAN Abhiyaan, SUMAN, PMMVY, and LaQshya focus on critical areas including nutrition, affordable healthcare, cash benefits for mothers, and the improvement of quality intrapartum and postpartum care.
There are significant disparities in MMR across different states in India. While states like Kerala and Maharashtra have MMRs below the SDG target, others such as Assam, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh have MMRs exceeding 150. This highlights the regional inequalities that persist in maternal health outcomes.
The primary causes contributing to MMR in India include inadequate healthcare access, socio-economic challenges, early marriages, and adolescent pregnancies. To further reduce the MMR, it is essential to focus on enhancing the quality of care and addressing indirect causes such as anemia and non-communicable diseases, along with improving abortion services.
As India continues its efforts to tackle these challenges, the need for sustained focus on maternal healthcare remains critical.
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