Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Maternal Mortality trends, Schemes
Why in the News?
In 2023, India had the second-highest maternal deaths globally, with 19,000 deaths, tied with the Democratic Republic of Congo, and second only to Nigeria. This equated to 52 fatalities daily according to the UN Report.
About the UN Report
- The report, titled ‘Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000-2023’, was prepared by the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, UN Population Fund, World Bank, and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (population division).
- It provides global data on maternal mortality and highlights the countries with the highest rates of maternal deaths.
Note:
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Key Highlights of the Report:
- Nigeria had the highest number of maternal deaths with 75,000 deaths, accounting for 28.7% of global deaths in 2023.
- The top four countries (India, Nigeria, DRC, Pakistan) accounted for 47% of global maternal deaths.
- Despite a population similar to India, China had only 1,400 maternal deaths in 2023.
- Maternal mortality globally declined by 40% between 2000 and 2023, due to improved healthcare access.
- COVID-19 caused an additional 40,000 maternal deaths in 2021 due to service disruptions.
- The global MMR remained high, with 260,000 maternal deaths in 2023, one death every two minutes.
India’s Progress in Reducing Maternal Mortality:
- India’s MMR declined by 78% from 362 in 2000 to 80 in 2023 (NFHS 2019-21).
- Institutional deliveries increased from 79% in 2015-16 to 89% in 2019-21, with Kerala achieving 100%.
- Eight states (including Kerala, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu) reduced MMR to below the SDG target of 70 per 100,000 live births.
Various Schemes for Maternal Health in India:
| Scheme | Launched | Objective | Notable Features | Target Beneficiaries |
| Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) | 2005 | To reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional deliveries. | Cash incentives, Focus on rural areas, Increased access to institutional deliveries. | Pregnant women from poor socio-economic backgrounds. |
| Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) | 2017 | To provide maternity benefits and promote institutional deliveries. | Cash benefit of ₹5,000 for the first child, Additional incentives for girl child under PMMVY 2.0. | Women pregnant with their first child after 01.01.2017. |
| Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) | 2011 | To eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for pregnant women and sick infants. | Free delivery services, Free transport, Free post-delivery services. | Pregnant women and sick infants in public health institutions. |
| Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) | 2019 | To provide assured, dignified, and quality healthcare at no cost. | Zero denial policy, Quality of care, Focus on respectful care. | All pregnant women and newborns visiting public health institutions. |
| LaQshya | 2017 | To improve the quality of care in labor rooms and maternity operation theatres. | Focus on improving infrastructure, Monitoring and evaluation, Quality assurance. | Pregnant women receiving care in labor rooms and maternity OT. |
| [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojna:
1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women. 3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
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