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. 2009 Apr;27(2):184-201.
doi: 10.3329/jhpn.v27i2.3363.

Maternal health situation in India: a case study

Kranti S Vora  1 , Dileep V Mavalankar, K V Ramani, Mudita Upadhyaya, Bharati Sharma, Sharad Iyengar, Vikram Gupta, Kirti Iyengar
Affiliations

Maternal health situation in India: a case study

Kranti S Vora et al. J Health Popul Nutr. 2009 Apr.

Abstract

Since the beginning of the Safe Motherhood Initiative, India has accounted for at least a quarter of maternal deaths reported globally. India's goal is to lower maternal mortality to less than 100 per 100,000 livebirths but that is still far away despite its programmatic efforts and rapid economic progress over the past two decades. Geographical vastness and sociocultural diversity mean that maternal mortality varies across the states, and uniform implementation of health-sector reforms is not possible. The case study analyzes the trends in maternal mortality nationally, the maternal healthcare-delivery system at different levels, and the implementation of national maternal health programmes, including recent innovative strategies. It identifies the causes for limited success in improving maternal health and suggests measures to rectify them. It recommends better reporting of maternal deaths and implementation of evidence-based, focused strategies along with effective monitoring for rapid progress. It also stresses the need for regulation of the private sector and encourages further public-private partnerships and policies, along with a strong political will and improved management capacity for improving maternal health.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Causes of maternal deaths in India, 2003(14)
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Access to maternal healthcare according to maternal education (NFHS 3, 2005-2006) (16)
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Access to maternal healthcare according to maternal wealth status (NFHS 3) (16)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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