From 127/1L Live Births To 49 In 11 Years, Southern States See Drastic Reduction In Maternal Mortality Ratio

During the 2007-09 period, the southern states had a Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 127 per 1 lakh live births and since then there has been a consistent decline in the rate.

Representational image of a pregnant woman.

Source : Getty

India saw a significant reduction in deaths of women due to pregnancy-related issues in the 2018-20 period, with the five southern states of Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh recording the lowest maternal mortality rate (MMR) in the last 11 years, latest official data shows. The MMR of the country was recorded at 97 per 1 lakh live births in 2018-20, down from 130 in 2014-16, according to a bulletin released by the office of the Registrar General of India.

The five southern states collectively registered 49 deaths of women during the same span, compared to 77 in 2014-16, showing a decline of 36 per cent.

The maternal mortality ratio is derived as the proportion of maternal deaths per 1 lakh live births. Maternal death is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Between 2018 and 2020, Kerala had the lowest MMR of 19 in the country, followed by Maharashtra (33) and Telangana (43). Andhra Pradesh registered an MMR of 45 per lakh live births, while that of Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu was 43, 69 and 54, respectively.

Assam recorded the highest MMR of 195, followed by Madhya Pradesh with MMR of 173 per lakh live births and Uttar Pradesh (167).

In a Twitter post, Telangana Health Minister T Harish Rao said: "Telangana implements - Nation Follows. Maternal and child deaths have reduced significantly since 2014. While India reduced Maternal Mortality Rate only by 25%, Telangana has reduced by massive 53% from 92 in 2014 to 43 in 2020."

Slamming the Centre, he called BJP-ruling states "laggards". "Numbers from central govt endorse that the Visionary schemes like #KCRKits by CM Shri KCR Garu are yielding results. Double Engine BJP-ruled states remain laggards, while Telangana continues to take care of its people by prioritizing public health," he added.

Numbers from central govt endorse that the Visionary schemes like #KCRKits by CM Shri KCR garu are yielding results.#DoubleEngine BJP-ruled states remain laggards, while Telangana continues to take care of its people by prioritizing public health. 2/2#AarogyaTelangana

— Harish Rao Thanneeru (@trsharish) November 29, 2022

Consistent Decline Since 2007-09

According to the government bulletin, the International Conference on Population and Development in 1994 had recommended a reduction in maternal mortality by at least 50 per cent of the 1990 levels by the year 2000 and a further one-half by the year 2015.

During the 2007-09 period, the southern states had a Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 127 and since then there has been a consistent decline in the rate.

The most notable decline was seen in the MMRs of Kerala, Telangana. The MMR of Kerala, which was 81 in 2007-09, has come down to 19 as per the latest report.

Telangana has reduced maternal mortality rate by 53 per cent between 2014 and 2020. The state has brought down death rate of pregnant women per lakh live births to 43 from 81 in 2014-16. Telangana ranks third in overall reduction in MMR.

Here is the chart