South Better Than North in Maternal and Child Health in India

The number of women who die during or soon after childbirth in India has come down sharply, according to data released earlier this month.

The Sample Registration System (SRS) report showed that Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is down from 167 in 2011-2013 to 130 in 2014-2016. MMR is defined as the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

Even though this decline is commendable, the numbers in northern states still lag significantly. The southern states are performing better than the rest of the country on MMR, which provides a measure of the quality of safe deliveries and maternal care.

Maternal and child health are parameters which reflect a country and its economy’s progress.