India's Maternal Health Progress and the SDG Challenge

Despite progress in reducing maternal mortality, India continues to face significant challenges in ensuring the well-being of mothers and new-borns. Experts stress the need for improved healthcare access, nutritional support, and early screenings to prevent avoidable deaths and complications

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The latest report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on Delhi’s public health infrastructure highlights a critical concern. Between April 2016 and September 2022, the city recorded an average of nearly 50 maternal deaths per month, totaling 3,777 maternal fatalities over the period. The highest number of maternal deaths (638) occurred in 2021-22.

This alarming statistic emerges from a city that serves as the national capital and is home to some of the country’s most advanced public and private healthcare facilities.

India’s Maternal Health Progress and the SDG Challenge

In India, maternal and new-born health remains a pressing concern. The National Institute of Health (NIH) estimated that 1.3 million women died from maternal causes over the last two decades.

While the country has made significant strides in reducing maternal death rates-from 130 per 100,000 live births in 2014-16 to 97 per 100,000 live births in 2018-20 (UNICEF, PIB data)-the spotlight should continue to remain in the wellbeing of mother and children as the nation still lags behind the SDG target of reducing the maternal death rate to 70 per 1,00,000 live births by 2030.