India has achieved the National Health Policy (NHP) target of a maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 100 deaths per one lakh live births and achieved 83% decline in MMR between 1990 to 2020, which was much higher than the decline in Global MMR, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, J. P. Nadda said on Tuesday.
Mr. Nadda was chairing the ninth meeting of the Mission Steering Group, the highest policymaking and governance body under the National Health Mission (NHM) for the health sector. During the meeting, he highlighted that India’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) witnessed a 69% decline during the same period, surpassing the global IMR decline rate of 55%. Additionally, the Under-5 Mortality Rate saw a 75% reduction compared to the global decline rate of 58%.
The Minister also emphasized the notable reduction in the Total Fertility Rate, which dropped from 3.4 in 1992-93 to 2.0 in 2019-21. As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-21, 31 states have already achieved the replacement level of fertility.
Mr. Nadda stressed the importance of translating health schemes into actionable outcomes, underscoring the pivotal role of Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) at the ground level. He advocated for enhancing and strengthening the capacities of CMOs through training and capacity-building exercises to ensure effective implementation of healthcare schemes.
Commending the contribution of ASHA workers in the healthcare system, Mr. Nadda emphasized their empowerment and welfare. He announced revised incentives for routine activities and enhanced honorariums to acknowledge their critical role.
He also praised advancements in health infrastructure, including the introduction of BHISHM cubes (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri), and highlighted the importance of maintaining the quality of these technological additions.
The primary focus of the meeting remained on ensuring universal access to equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare, reducing child and maternal mortality, stabilizing population growth, and promoting gender and demographic balance.
