Special Report on Maternal Mortality in India 2021-23

Special analysis on maternal death rates in India 2021-23

The Government of India released the Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality in India 2021–23, developed by the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI) within the Ministry of Home Affairs as a component of the Sample Registration System (SRS).

What does Maternal Mortality mean?

Maternal death refers to the death of a woman during pregnancy or within 42 days after the end of pregnancy, regardless of the duration and location of the pregnancy, due to any cause linked to or worsened by the pregnancy or its treatment, excluding accidental or incidental reasons.

Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) refers to the count of maternal fatalities for every 100,000 live births.

Maternal Mortality Rate: This is determined by the number of maternal deaths among women aged 15-49 per lakh of women in that age category, as reported by SRS.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1 aims to decrease the worldwide maternal mortality ratio to under 70 per 100,000 live births by the year 2030.

Government Efforts to Lower MMR

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): Initiated in 2005 to lower maternal and neonatal mortality rates, JSY encourages institutional delivery for pregnant women, particularly those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a maternity support initiative managed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India.

The maternity allowance, of Rs. 5000/-, is provided to a woman for the family's first child, contingent upon meeting certain conditions.

Additionally, under ‘Mission Shakti’, the scheme (PMMVY 2.0) offers extra cash incentives for the second child, provided it is a girl.

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): Initiated in 2016, PMSMA offers pregnant women guaranteed, free, and high-quality Antenatal Care on the 9th of each month.

LaQshya: Established in 2017, LaQshya seeks to enhance the standard of care in labor rooms and maternity surgical theaters to guarantee high-quality support during childbirth and the early post-partum period.

Capacity building is implemented for MBBS doctors in Anesthesia (LSAS) and Obstetric Care, including C-section (EmOC) skills, to address the lack of specialists in these fields, especially in rural regions.

Maternal Death Surveillance Review (MDSR) is carried out in both healthcare facilities and within the community. The aim is to implement corrective measures at suitable levels and enhance the quality of obstetric services.

The Monthly Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Day (VHSND) serves as an initiative to deliver maternal and child care along with nutritional support.

The Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal is a web-based tracking system for pregnant women and newborns that encompasses their names to guarantee the delivery of consistent and comprehensive services, which include antenatal care, institutional delivery, and post-natal care.

Ongoing Challenges Encountered in India

Significant Out-of-Pocket Expenses (OOPE): Even with policy initiatives, families frequently cover expenses for diagnostics, medications, and private services in emergency situations.

Sociocultural Obstacles: Gender roles, limited education, diminished decision-making authority for women, and stigma concerning maternal health hinder timely care-seeking.

Increase in High-Risk Pregnancies: Factors like postponed childbirth, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and brief inter-pregnancy gaps lead to more hazardous pregnancies.

Inadequate Infrastructure in Isolated Areas: Rural, tribal, and mountainous areas are deficient in emergency obstetric services, dependable transport, and blood storage capabilities.

Path Forward

India has achieved remarkable advancements in lowering maternal mortality, effectively meeting the National Health Policy (NHP) goal of an MMR under 100 by 2020.

Nonetheless, persistent efforts are necessary to achieve the SDG goal of MMR by 2030.

Enhancing healthcare infrastructure, broadening maternal health initiatives, and tackling socioeconomic obstacles will be essential in further decreasing maternal mortality in the nation.