There has been a significant decline in the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the country:
from 130 in 2014-16 to 97 per lakh live births in 2018-20.

         As per the Special Bulletin on MMR released by the Registrar General of India (RGI), the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of India has improved further by a spectacular 6 points and now stands at 97/ lakh live births. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is defined as the number of maternal deaths during a given time period per 100,000 live births.

          Upon achieving this, India has accomplished the National Health Policy (NHP) target for MMR of less than 100/lakh live births and is on the right track to achieve the SDG target of MMR less than 70/ lakh live births by 2030.

         The outstanding progress made in terms of the number of states which have achieved Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target, the number has now risen from six to eight leading with Kerala (19), followed by Maharashtra (33), then Telangana (43) and Andhra Pradesh (45), subsequently Tamil Nadu (54), Jharkhand (56), Gujarat (57) and lastly Karnataka (69).

             Since 2014, under the National Health Mission (NHM), India has made a concerted effort to provide accessible quality maternal and newborn health services and minimize preventable maternal deaths.

           Government schemes such as “Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram” and “Janani Suraksha Yojana” have been modified and upgraded to more assured and respectful service delivery initiatives like Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan’ (SUMAN). Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is particularly lauded for its focus on identifying high-risk pregnancies and facilitating their appropriate management.. LaQshya and Midwifery initiatives concentrate on promoting quality care in a respectful and dignified manner ensuring choice of birthing to all pregnant women.

As per the statistics derived from Sample Registration System (SRS), the country has witnessed a progressive reduction in MMR from 130 in 2014-2016, 122 in 2015-17, 113 in 2016-18, 103 in 2017-19 and to 97 in 2018-20 as depicted below:

LEARNING WITH TIMES/WITHOUT CLASSES/FROM HOME/BASICS

Maternal death is when a woman dies during her pregnancy or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy

IMR: The death of a baby before his or her first birthday is called infant mortality. The infant mortality rate is the number of infant deaths that occur for every 1,000 live births.

NNR:A neonatal death is defined as a death during the first 28 days of life (0-27 days) per 1000 live births

TFR:The total fertility rate in a specific year is defined as the total number of children that would be born to each woman if she were to live to the end of her child-bearing years and give birth to children in alignment with the prevailing age-specific fertility rates.

The National Rural Health Mission:Reducing maternal and child mortality are among the most important goals of the National Rural Health Mission. (NRHM) ,launched on 12th April 2005, is a National effort at ensuring effective healthcare through a range of interventions at individual, household, community, and most critically at the health system
levels.

Maternity Benefit Scheme: Scheme to provide financial aid of Rs 6,000 to pregnant women who undergo institutional delivery for hospital admission. The sum is also meant to help with their child’s vaccination, as well as nutritional food.

Janani Surakhsa Yojana (JSY) which is a cash-based incentive of Rs 1,400 for institutional deliveries