India Faces Challenge in Meeting 2030 Maternal Mortality Goals

India Faces Challenge in Meeting 2030 Maternal Mortality Goals

  • Context:

  • A recent comprehensive study published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Women's Health journal has highlighted the significant challenges India faces in meeting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target for maternal health by 2030

  • The SDG Target and Global Standing:

  • The global SDG objective is to strictly reduce the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to below 70 deaths per 1 lakh live births by the year 2030.

  • India remains among the 104 nations falling short, currently placed in the 100-140 MMR bracket alongside countries like Pakistan, Nigeria, and Ethiopia.

  • India's Trajectory and Current Challenges:

  • India has witnessed a massive, long-term reduction in its MMR, dropping from a staggering 508 in 1990 down to 116 in 2023.

  • Absolute maternal deaths also plummeted from 1.19 lakh in 1990 to 24,700 in 2023.

  • Despite this historic progress, the rate of decline has visibly slowed.

  • General healthcare setbacks and disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) are believed to have played a major role in this stagnation.

  • In 2023, India still accounted for roughly one-tenth of the 2.4 lakh total maternal deaths globally.

  • Primary Causes:

  • The study identified that easily preventable conditions—specifically haemorrhage and hypertensive disorders—accounted for over 40% of all maternal deaths in 2023.

  • Methodological Nuances and Data Discrepancies:

  • Demographic experts warn against comparing India's absolute death numbers directly with smaller nations.

  • Because India recorded a massive 23.22 million births in 2023 (compared to just 4.37 million in Congo), its absolute death numbers are naturally higher.

  • However, India's actual MMR (116) remains vastly lower than Congo's (565).

  • There are notable discrepancies across different tracking agencies.

  • While the Lancet study estimates India's 2023 MMR at 116, the UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group pegs it at 80, and India's official Sample Registration System (SRS) calculates it at 88.