India Registers Overall Decline In Maternal Mortality Rate Of 70 Percent During 1999-2012

11 April, New Delhi

India has registered an overall decline in Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) of 70 percent during 1990-2012 as compared to global decline of 45 percent. The MMR declined from 178 per one-lakh live births in 2010-12 to 167 per one lakh live births during 2011-13.

The pace of decline of MMR is also showing an increasing trend from annual rate of 4.1 percent in 2001-03 to 6.2 percent in 2011-13.

According to official data, institutional delivery in the country has risen sharply from 47 per cent in 2007-08 to over 75 per cent in 2013.

On the occasion of Safe Motherhood Day today, Health Minister J P Nadda said that government is committed to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in the country. He said, safe motherhood in the country is government’s main focus.