Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in Andhra Pradesh has significantly decreased from 130 deaths per 100,000 live births during 2014-16 to 97 during 2018-20

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh has made remarkable progress in reducing maternal mortality through various initiatives undertaken by the central and state governments, announced Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav in a social media post on platform X. He emphasized that the government's efforts are focused on ensuring safe motherhood and a healthy future for women across the state.

Citing statistical progress, the minister noted that the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in Andhra Pradesh has significantly decreased from 130 deaths per 100,000 live births during 2014-16 to 97 during 2018-20. “Through coordinated efforts, we aim to further bring down this number below 70 by 2030, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he stated. He highlighted that Andhra Pradesh, along with Kerala, Maharashtra, and Telangana, is among the eight states that have already achieved this milestone.

Institutional deliveries have also seen a positive shift, increasing from 79% in 2015-16 to 89% in 2019-21. Similarly, the percentage of pregnant women availing antenatal care (ANC) in the first trimester has risen from 59% to 70%. Minister Yadav credited this improvement to flagship schemes such as Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), and Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN), all of which provide comprehensive maternal and neonatal healthcare support.

“The quality of maternity care is being enhanced through initiatives like LaQshya, which focuses on improving labor rooms and operation theatres. Additionally, the strengthening of maternal ICUs, high-dependency units (HDU), MCH wings, and First Referral Units (FRUs) has made it possible to provide safer deliveries for high-risk pregnancies,” the minister explained.

Innovative programs such as Dastak Abhiyan in Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu’s Emergency Obstetric Care model are also being implemented to safeguard maternal and child health. “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is steadily progressing toward achieving its 2030 goal of reducing maternal mortality to below 70, ensuring a safer future for mothers and infants,” Minister Yadav asserted in his post.