Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality in India 2021-23

Context

The Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI) produced the Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality in India 2021–23, which the Government of India published. 

Key Highlights

• The report for the years 2021–2023 reveals a consistent Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 88 per 100,000 live births.
• State Classification: For the purpose of analyzing regional trends, states are classified as belonging to the “Empowered Action Group” (EAG), “Southern,” or “Other” category.

What does “Maternal Mortality” mean?

• A mother’s death is defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy or within 42 days of giving birth, regardless of the duration and site of the pregnancy. 
• The number of maternal fatalities for every 100,000 live births is represented by the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR).
• Maternal death Rate: According to SRS, this is the ratio of maternal fatalities to the number of women aged 15–49 per lakh of women in that age range.
  • • By 2030, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1 aims to lower the worldwide maternal mortality rate to under 70 deaths for every 100,000 live births.

Government Programs Aimed at Lowering MMR

• Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): The goal of JSY, which was established in 2005, is to lower maternal and infant mortality by encouraging institutional birth among expectant mothers, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development of the Indian government oversees the maternity benefit scheme known as Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).
  • • The maternity benefit of Rs. 5000/- is only granted to a woman for the family’s first living child if certain requirements are met.
• The Prime Minister’s Safe Motherhood Campaign (PMSMA), which was launched in 2016, guarantees pregnant women high-quality antenatal care on a specific day at no cost. 
• Launched in 2017, LaQshya’s goal is to raise the standard of care in labor rooms and maternity operating rooms in order to provide high-quality care throughout delivery and immediately following delivery.
• To address the scarcity of experts in these fields, particularly in rural areas, capacity building is undertaken for MBBS doctors in Anesthesia (LSAS) and Obstetric Care, which includes C-section (EmOC) skills.
• The Maternal Death Surveillance Review (MDSR) is carried out at the community level as well as in institutions. The goal is to raise the standard of obstetric treatment and implement remedial measures at the necessary levels.
• The monthly Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Day (VHSND) is a community outreach program that offers maternal and child health care, including nutrition.
• The Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal is a name-based web-enabled tracking of pregnant women and newborns to ensure regular and comprehensive service delivery to them. them covering postnatal care, institutional delivery, and antenatal care.

India’s Ongoing Challenges

• High Out-of-Pocket Expenses (OOPE): In spite of policy initiatives, families frequently pay for diagnostics, medications, and private services during emergencies.
• Sociocultural barriers: gender dynamics, low levels of education, limited decision-making authority for women, and stigma surrounding maternal care all contribute to delaying early care-seeking.
• Increasing High-Risk Pregnancies: Trends like delayed childbirth, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and short inter-pregnancy intervals all raise the risk of pregnancy.
• Poor Infrastructure in Remote Areas: Blood storage facilities, dependable transportation, and emergency obstetric care are lacking in rural, tribal, and mountainous locations.

Way Ahead

• India has made tremendous strides in lowering maternal mortality, successfully reaching the National Health Policy (NHP) goal of an MMR under 100 by 2020.
• Increasing maternal health initiatives, addressing socioeconomic challenges, and bolstering healthcare infrastructure will be essential to continuing to lower maternal mortality rates in the nation.

Source: The Hindu

Mains PYQ

(Q) In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly in the fields of geriatric and maternal health care. Discuss. (2020)

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