Maternal mortality ratio of India declines by 10 points.

The Ministry of Health ad Family Welfare in a tweet said that the maternal mortality ratio of India declines by 10 points. According to the official tweet,  India is on verge of achieving the SDG target of Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 70/ lakh live births by 2030.

In simple terms, maternal mortality or maternal death can be defined as the death of women during pregnancy or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of pregnancy. The cause may be anything related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes.

Broadly there are two main causes of maternal mortality. The first cause is Direct Obstetric Deaths which include factors like hemorrhage, sepsis, eclampsia, obstructed labor and unsafe abortion. The second cause is Indirect Obstetric Deaths include factors like results from previously existing diseases or from diseases arising during pregnancy which are aggravated by the physiological effects of pregnancy.

In the year 2014-16, India had an MMR of 130 and in the year 2016-18, it got decreased to 113. Similarly, in the year 2014-16, Assam had the MMR of 237 but in the year 2016-2018, it got decreased to 215.

The examples are malaria, anemia, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disorders, diseases of endocrine and metabolic systems. The MMR represents the risk associated with every pregnancy (also known as the obstetric risk). It is calculated as the number of maternal deaths during a given year per 1 lakh live births during the same period. Although the measure has traditionally been referred to as a rate is actually a ration.

In the year 2014-16, India had an MMR of 130 and in the year 2016-18, it got decreased to 113. Similarly, in the year 2014-16, Assam had the MMR of 237 but in the year 2016-2018, it got decreased to 215.

Improving maternal health is one of WHO's key priorities. WHO works to contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality by increasing research evidence, providing evidence based clinical and programmatic guidance, setting up global standards and providing technical support to member states for developing and implementing effective policy and programs.