Maternal Mortality Ratio of India down by 22%

New Delhi: Mr Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare released the 11th Common Review Mission (CRM) report of the National Health Mission. Speaking at the function, Mr Choubey stated that India has registered a record 22 percent reduction in Maternal Mortality Ratio since 2013, which is the highest percentage decline so far when compared to all the previous reductions in MMR as per the earlier rounds of Sample Registration System (SRS).

“Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of India has declined from 167 in 2011-2013 to 130 in 2014-2016. It is because of the joint efforts of the Ministry and the States. I congratulate the States and all stakeholders associated with this achievement,” Mr Choubey said.

Ms Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health), Mr Manoj Jhalani, AS & MD and Dr S Venkatesh, DGHS was also present at the occasion.

Addressing the participants, Mr Ashwini Kumar Choubey said that 60 percent to 70 percent of health work in the States is done through NHM. NHM has a huge responsibility in making India healthy and disease free. He further said that it has led to improved health outcomes and health indicators due to strengthened system of healthcare delivery.

“National Health Mission continues to play an important role in strengthening public health systems at the state and sub district levels, Mr Choubey stated.

He was also of the view that state Health Ministers should also be adequately informed about NHM activities as this shall enhance their involvement in the programme.

Ms Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health & Family Welfare) stated that NHM is a great institutional framework as it helps to assimilate government structures, diverse working conditions and priorities existing in the states. She further added that NHM provides multi-sectoral flexibility and convergence to the States to implement shared health goals. She further said that the Ministry has undertaken to strengthen Sub Health Centres as Health and Wellness Centres (HWC-SHC) in a phased manner so as to meet the commitment of operationalizing 1,50,000 HWC by 2022.

“One of the key elements is the midlevel provider in HWCs. We must focus on training them and enhancing their capacities,” she added. She further stated that the NMC Bill will enable flexibility in hiring manpower in the States. She suggested that NHM needs to look at Anti-microbial Resistance (AMR) especially in SNCUs and should ensure that they are infection free. She also emphasized on the need for developing specific time bound strategy for leprosy and kala-azar districts.

The 11th CRM team visited 16 States/UTs, of which 4 were North-Eastern States, 6 were High Focus States and 6 were Non-High Focus States. The terms of reference include service delivery; quality assurance; RMNCH+A; human resources; community processes; information and knowledge; healthcare financing; procurement of drugs, diagnostics and supply chain management; NUHM; and governance and management.

The CRM report spans all aspects of health system reform and uses a mix of methods- including secondary data review, rapid assessment of facilities, and implementer and beneficiary perspectives.