Puducherry Achieves Zero Maternal Mortality Rate

Context of the Achievement :

Puducherry has emerged as the first Union Territory in India to attain a zero Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR).

About Maternal Mortality Rate:

Maternal death is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes.
Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): This is the number of maternal deaths during a given period per 100,000 live births.
India’s MMR: The ratio has demonstrated a significant decline, decreasing from 130 (2014-16) to 93 (2019-21).
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030: The objective is to reduce the MMR to 70 per 100,000 live births.

Trends and Progress in India : India has made commendable strides in maternal healthcare:

The country was certified by the World Health Organization for the elimination of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus in 2015.
According to the SRS 2021 report, eight states have already achieved the SDG target ( MMR by 2030 <= 70 ): Kerala (20), Maharashtra (38), Telangana (45), Andhra Pradesh (46), Tamil Nadu (49), Jharkhand (51), Gujarat (53), and Karnataka (63).
Institutional Deliveries: Institutional births have increased significantly from 79% (2015-16) to 89% (2019-21) at the national level. Institutional delivery is 100% in Kerala, Goa, Lakshadweep, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.
Institutional births now account for approximately 87% of deliveries in rural areas and 94% in urban areas.

Enduring Challenges to Reducing MMR in India: Despite the progress, significant challenges persist in completely eradicating maternal mortality:

Inequitable access to comprehensive health services.
Widespread issues of malnutrition and anaemia among women.
Deficiencies in the health infrastructure.
Deep-rooted socio-economic disparities.
High prevalence of early marriage and motherhood.
Insufficient public awareness and health literacy.
Pressure from rapid population growth.
Concerns regarding the quality of care provided.

Government Initiatives to Mitigate Maternal Mortality: The Government of India has launched several flagship programmes to bolster maternal health:

National Health Mission (2005): Prioritises maternal and child health and aims to strengthen rural and urban health structures.
Janani Suraksha Yojana (2005): Provides financial incentives to promote institutional deliveries.
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (2011): Offers cost-free delivery services, drugs, diagnostics, and essential free treatment for pregnant women and sick infants.
Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) (2019)
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)
PM Matru Vandana Yojana (2017): Provides a cash benefit of ₹5,000 upon the birth of the first child. Under Mission Shakti, a subsequent maternity benefit of ₹6,000 is also provided for the birth of a second child, provided the second child is a girl, with the aim of promoting positive behaviour change towards the girl child.
National Health Policy (2017): Sets the goal to reduce the MMR to less than 100 by 2030.

Practice Examination Questions

Preliminary Examination Question: Which of the following states/Union Territories have achieved the target of 100% institutional deliveries?

(A) Puducherry, Kerala, Tamil Nadu

(B) Goa, Lakshadweep, Puducherry

(D) Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana

Answer: (C)

Main Examination Question: Discuss the efforts undertaken to reduce the Maternal Mortality Rate in India and the challenges that impede their success.