India faces challenge in meeting 2030 maternal mortality goals, shows study, Pg16

Key Highlights:

• A Lancet study indicates India faces challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to below 70 per 1 lakh live births by 2030.
• India's MMR decreased from 508 in 1990 to 116 deaths per lakh live births in 2023, but progress has slowed.
• In 2023, India accounted for one-tenth of global maternal deaths, with a total of 2.4 lakh deaths worldwide.
• Key factors contributing to maternal deaths in 2023 were haemorrhage and hypertensive disorders, accounting for over 40% of cases.

Detailed Insights:

• While southern states in India are on track to meet the SDG target, states like Assam and Uttar Pradesh are lagging, impacting the overall MMR.
• According to the Sample Registration System (SRS), India's MMR declined from 122 per lakh live births in 2015-17 to 88 in 2021-2023, with Assam and UP showing slower progress.
• Strengthening primary healthcare systems, with a focus on maternal and child health, is crucial for targeted action to reduce MMR.
• Lowering child mortality can lead to decreased fertility rates, which in turn contributes to a reduction in maternal mortality, promoting an integrated approach.
• The COVID-19 pandemic caused setbacks in general healthcare, contributing to a slide in maternal health progress during 2020-21.
• Discrepancies exist in MMR figures, with the UN estimating 80 and the SRS reporting 88 for India in 2023, highlighting the complexity of data collection.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): Deaths due to pregnancy-related complications per 100,000 live births.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all".
• Sample Registration System (SRS): A system for collecting vital statistics in India, including fertility and mortality rates.