Maternal deaths

In a grim reminder of healthcare gaps in the country, India recorded 19,000 maternal deaths in 2023, accounting for 7.2 per cent of the global maternal mortality, second only to Nigeria. These figures, revealed in the United Nations report Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000-23, highlight not just a health issue but also a systemic failure in protecting women during the most vulnerable phase of their lives. While India has made commendable progress in reducing its Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) — down from 384 deaths per 1,00,000 live births in 2000 to 103 in 2023 — the sheer volume of maternal deaths reveals that progress is not evenly distributed. States like Kerala and Tamil Nadu boast single-digit MMRs, while others like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar still grapple with alarmingly high rates. This disparity suggests that policy success stories remain largely regional.

The Ministry of Health has rightly pushed back against direct comparisons with Nigeria, citing India’s massive population. Yet, this deflection does little to comfort families losing mothers every day — 52 daily, by current estimates. The problem lies not just in healthcare infrastructure but also in social determinants like nutrition, education, early marriage and access to antenatal care. Government initiatives like Janani Suraksha Yojana and the Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) have had impact, but their reach and quality remain inconsistent.

India must prioritise last-mile service delivery, strengthen rural healthcare systems and ensure accountability through real-time data monitoring and community participation. Maternal deaths are preventable. They are not mere statistics — they are lives lost in childbirth, dreams cut short and children left motherless. The time for cosmetic reforms is over. What India needs is political will and coordinated action. No woman should die while giving life.

Editorials