Maternal Mortality Declines To 130 In 2014-16 From 167 In 2011-13, Backward States Make Big Improvements

India has registered a major drop in maternal mortality rate (MMR), thanks to more women now delivering children in hospitals, said a report in the Times of India.

According to the sample registration system data released by the office of Registrar General of India, the MMR sharply declined to 130 in 2014-16 from 167 in 2011-13. This is a significant improvement on a parameter widely used by analysts and developmental economists to rate a country’s progress.

MMR is defined as the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. "The 22 per cent reduction in MMR since 2013 means nearly one thousand fewer women now die of pregnancy-related complications each month in India," said the report.

Southern state of Kerala has turned in a stellar performance with the lowest MMR of 46, falling from 61 in 2011-13. Apart from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh also performed well after recording MMR of 66 and 74, respectively.

According to the report the empowered action group – which comprises eight 'socioeconomically' backward states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand – also registered the sharpest decline.

India ranks 129 among 184 nations on maternal mortality and 145 out of 193 nations on infant mortality, according to the World Bank. Globally, the annual number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births dropped by 44 per cent between 1990 and 2015 – from 385 to 216.