The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) praised India for its significant achievements in maternal health and family planning. Recognizing the notable 70% reduction in the country’s maternal mortality rate (MMR) () between 2000 and 2020, UNFPA recognized India’s extraordinary progress.
What is the maternal mortality rate?
MMR refers to deaths due to complications of childbirth or pregnancy per lakh live births. This includes any maternal death that occurs immediately or within 42 days after termination of pregnancy, whether due to childbirth, abortion or miscarriage. The MMR according to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the UN for 2030 is 70. “The achievement has saved the lives of thousands of women across the country, particularly those from marginalized communities,” said Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA. , while congratulating Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary, by presenting her with a plaque and certificate.
“This has positioned India to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target of an MMR below 70 by 2030,” Kanem added. The country’s MMR fell precipitously, by 82.5 percent between 1990 and 2020. India’s MMR decline is due to targeted government efforts.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been implementing various programs to improve maternal health outcomes and achieve zero preventable maternal deaths. These include quality-assured and respectful maternity care under Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan Yojana (SUMAN), Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) and Midwifery Services Initiative.
India has already achieved a total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.0 and 31 states/UTs have achieved replacement levels, except Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Meghalaya and Manipur. The TFR is the average number of children born per woman.
India’s total fertility rate is expected to decline from the current 1.96 and begin the next century at 1.69. A total fertility rate of 2.2 is considered the replacement rate that will keep the population stable, and a drop below that number indicates a population decline. although it could still be growing due to increased life expectancy and previous population growth that resulted in large numbers of younger women who will be of childbearing age.
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Reference:
- Maternal mortality – (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality)
Source-IANS
