Why in the News?

• According to a new study released by the World Health Organization in March 2025, every day in 2020, approximately 800 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.

About Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)?

• MMR refers to the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births within a specific time period, usually a year.
• According to the United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (UN MMEIG), MMR of India has declined from 384 in 2000 to 103 in 2020 whereas Global MMR has declined from 339 in 2000 to 223 in 2020. 
• The major causes of maternal deaths include severe bleeding (mostly after childbirth), infections, high blood pressure during pregnancy, complications from delivery, and unsafe abortions.

Government Schemes/Initiatives to reduce MMR

• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan: It aims to provide fixed-day, free of cost, assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care on the 9th day of every month, universally to all pregnant women in their 2nd / 3rd trimesters of pregnancy.
• Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN): It aims to provide assured, dignified, respectful and quality healthcare at no cost and zero tolerance for denial of services for every woman and newborn visiting the public health facility.
• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK): It entitles every pregnant woman to free delivery including for caesarean section, in public health institutions along with the provision of free transport, diagnostics, medicines, other consumables, diet and blood (if required). Similar entitlements have been put in place for all sick infants accessing public health institutions for treatment.
• LaQshya (Quality Improvement Initiatives): Government of India launched the LaQshya programme in 2011 to improve the quality of care in the labour room and Maternity operation Theatres.
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): The scheme provides support to the mother for safe delivery, addresses partial compensation for wage loss and immunization of her first living child. In the revamped PMMVY maternity benefit is also to be provided for the second child, but only if, the second child a girl child, to discourage pre-birth sex selection and to promote and celebrate the girl child.
• Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0: Under this scheme, supplementary nutrition is provided to Pregnant women and lactating mothers with focus on strengthening nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcomes with focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity to disease and malnutrition.