Context:
- A recent report published in The Lancet highlights India’s high maternal mortality burden
- India accounts for ~1 in 10 global maternal deaths
- Maternal deaths in India (2023): ~24,700
- Global maternal deaths: ~2.4 lakh
- Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): Declined to 116 per 1 lakh live births
- However, progress has slowed after 2015, raising policy concerns
What is Maternal Mortality?
Maternal mortality refers to the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, due to causes related to or aggravated by pregnancy.
Key Causes:
- Pregnancy-related medical complications
- Poor access to timely healthcare
Significance:
- Reflects the quality of healthcare systems, especially maternal care services
What is Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)?
MMR is the number of maternal deaths per 1 lakh live births.
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- 1990: 508
- 2023: 116
Importance:
- Key indicator of public health performance
- Used to track progress toward global development goals
What are Preventable Causes?
Preventable causes are those that can be avoided with timely and adequate healthcare interventions.
Major Causes in India:
- Haemorrhage (excessive bleeding)
- Hypertensive disorders (e.g., preeclampsia)
- Infections (sepsis)
- Pre-existing medical conditions aggravated by pregnancy
What are Institutional Deliveries?
Institutional deliveries refer to childbirths conducted in healthcare facilities such as hospitals or health centres.
Benefits:
- Availability of skilled healthcare professionals
- Access to emergency obstetric care
- Reduced risk of maternal and neonatal deaths
India’s Progress in Reducing Maternal Mortality
India has achieved a significant decline in MMR since 1990.
Key Drivers:
- Increase in institutional deliveries
- Expansion of antenatal care services
- Government initiatives such as:
- Janani Suraksha Yojana
- Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan
Emerging Concern: Slowing Progress
- Rapid improvement observed till 2015
- Post-2015 slowdown indicates structural challenges
Implications:
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- Gaps in healthcare infrastructure
- Inefficiencies in last-mile service delivery
- Need for renewed policy focus
Regional Disparities in India
Better-performing states:
- Kerala
- Tamil Nadu
High-burden states:
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- Madhya Pradesh
Key Issue:
- Unequal access to quality maternal healthcare services across regions
Important for which Exam?
UPSC & State PCS:
- Important for Prelims (definitions, indicators)
- Relevant for Mains GS Paper 2 & 3 (health, social sector, SDGs)
MCQs
Q1. What does maternal mortality refer to?
[1] Infant deaths
[2] Death during pregnancy/childbirth
[3] Old age deaths
[4] Disease deaths
Q2. How is Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) measured?
[1] Per 1,000 population
[2] Per 10,000 births
[3] Per 1 lakh live births
[4] Per million
Q3. What is India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in 2023?
[1] 508
[2] 200
[3] 116
[4] 70
Q4. Which of the following states has a high maternal mortality burden?
[1] Kerala
[2] Tamil Nadu
[3] Uttar Pradesh
[4] Goa
Q5. What is meant by institutional delivery?
[1] Home birth
[2] Hospital birth
[3] Online care
[4] Self-care
Answers
1 → [2]
2 → [3]
3 → [3]
4 → [3]
