Paper: GS – II, Subject: Society and Social Justice, Topic: Social Sector-Health, Issue: Steps to curtail Maternal deaths.
Context:
Despite progress, Maternal Mortality in India still sees 93 maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births (SRS 2019-21). Maternal death includes deaths during pregnancy or within 42 days of termination due to pregnancy-related causes.
Key Highlights:
Trends in Maternal Deaths:
Initiatives and Improvements:
- Community Health Networks: ASHAs and ANMs linked through NRHM and NHM with improvements in institutional deliveries and maternal care
- Emergency Transport Systems: 108 Ambulance services are also integrated with health facilities
- FRU Policy (1992): It mandates blood banks and specialist carethough poor implementation remains an issue
Regional variations:
- Empowered Action Group (EAG) States: Includes Bihar, Jharkhand, MP, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan, UP, Uttarakhand which high MMRs: e.g., Assam (167), Jharkhand (56), MP (167).
- Southern States: Includes Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu.
- Best Performer: Kerala (MMR 20) followed by TN (49), Telangana (45)
- Other States/UTs: Punjab (98), Haryana (66), West Bengal (109), Maharashtra (58), Gujarat (63)
Challenges in reducing MMR:
- Delays in Maternal Care: Delay in deciding to seek care, reaching the health facility and adequate care at the facility.
- Systemic Barriers:
- Inadequate blood units in First Referral Units (FRUs)
- Shortage of specialists (only 66% availability)
- Unavailability of Anaesthesia, blood banks.
- Emergency transport networks still underdeveloped.
- Unsafe Abortion Practices
- Failure of Contraceptive Use
- Nutrition and Anemia Issues
- Mental Health issues like postpartum depression and suicide.
| Kerala’s Model: Maternal Death Committee: Led by Dr. V.N. Paily for monitoringReduced MMR to 20: Through real-time audits, systemic corrections. Adoptable Lessons: Applicable to states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat |
Way Forward:
Conclusion:
A stronger commitment backed by political will, community participation, timely health interventions, and effective policy implementation is essential to achieve India’s maternal health goals and reduce preventable maternal deaths.
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