India hit targeted Maternal Mortality Rate of 100 out of 1 lakh live births : Nadda

Context

India has achieved the National Health Policy (NHP) target of a maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 100 deaths per one lakh live births, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said on Tuesday.

The nation had also achieved an 83% decline in MMR between 1990 and 2020, which was much higher than the decline in Global MMR, he added.

The Minister said that a 69% decline was observed in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in India during this period (1990-2020), while the decline in Global IMR was 55%. Additionally, there has been a 75% decline in the “Under 5 [years] Mortality Rate” while the global rate of decline was 58%

Schemes initiated by Govt of India for safe motherhood

1) Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)

Aims to provide fixed-day, free of cost, assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care (ANC) on the 9th day of every month, universally to all pregnant women in their 2nd / 3rd trimesters of pregnancy.

Extended PMSMA strategy was launched to ensure quality ANC to pregnant women, especially to high-risk pregnancy (HRP) women

Individual HRP tracking till a safe delivery is achieved by means of financial incentivization for the identified high risk pregnant women and accompanying ASHA for extra 3 visits over and above the PMSMA visit.

2) Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN)

Aims to provide assured, dignified, respectful and quality healthcare at no cost and zero tolerance for denial of services for every woman and newborn visiting the public health facility.

3) Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK)

Entitles every pregnant woman to free delivery including for caesarean section, in public health institutions along with the provision of free transport, diagnostics, medicines, other consumables, diet and blood (if required).

Similar entitlements have been put in place for all sick infants accessing public health institutions for treatment.

4) LaQshya (Quality Improvement Initiatives)

Government of India launched LaQshya programme in 2011 to improve the quality of care in labour room and Maternity operation Theatres.

5) Monthly Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Day (VHSND)

It is an outreach activity at Anganwadi centres for provision of maternal and child-care including nutrition in convergence with the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme)

BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita, and Maitri)

Purpose

Provides compact, mobile medical units for emergency care, designed to deliver medical facilities swiftly and effectively.

Key features of BHISHM cubes

Compact and organised: Medical supplies and equipment are packed into 15-inch cubical boxes.

These boxes are organized based on injury types and medical needs, making them efficient for quick deployment in emergencies.

Transport flexibility: The cubes are mounted on an adjustable framework, allowing them to be transported via multiple modes, including air, sea, land, and drone.

Each cube weighs up to 20 kg and is designed to be carried by an individual.

Different Mortality Rates in India

Maternal mortality rate (MMR) and Infant mortality rate (IMR) are used to measure the risk of pregnancy and childbirth for women and children

Other mortality ratesNeonatal mortality rate (NMR) and Under 5 mortality rate (U5MR)

1) Maternal mortality rate (MMR)

The number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births

It includes deaths due to pregnancy or childbirth-related complications

It can be calculated using data from vital registration systems, household surveys, or other sources

The WHO's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target is to reduce MMR to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030

India's MMR was 97 per 100,000 live births in 2018-20

Kerala has a low MMR, while Assam has a high MMR

2) Infant mortality rate (IMR)

The number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births

The IMR in rural areas is higher than in urban areas

3) Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR)

The neonatal mortality rate (NMR) isthe number of infant deaths within the first 28 days of life, per 1,000 live births..

4) Under 5 mortality rate

The under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) isa key child health indicator that measures the number of children under five who die per 1,000 live births

The U5MR has been declining in India, but there are still disparities between different groups of people