Over the past 30 years, the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India has fallen by 83% — a far greater reduction than the global average of 42%. Similarly, India’s Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) has dropped by 65%, surpassing the global reduction of 51%, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
Responding to question from MP Kanimozhi N.V.N. Somu, the Minister highlighted the improvement in maternal and neonatal health across the country. He cited the concerted efforts of the Central and State governments for these reductions. On financial commitments, Mr. Nadda said that the government had significantly increased the budget for the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan from ₹935.74 lakh in 2021-22 to ₹8,312.06 lakh in 2023-24.
The Minister listed the government’s ongoing efforts to improve maternal healthcare. Awareness and health camps are regularly held to ensure that pregnant women received adequate care, he said.
These camps, along with initiatives such as the Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days and Mobile Medical Units, target areas with limited access to healthcare, he added. The Minister provided State-wise data on maternal mortality, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths, indicating regional disparities. Kerala and Maharashtra have reported significantly lower mortality rates than States such as Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
