Guwahati, June 26 (IANS). Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said a significant decline has been recorded in the state’s maternal mortality rate (MMR). He said that this figure has come down from 480 deaths per one lakh births to 84. He described this as the result of comprehensive changes and continuous reforms in the health sector of Assam.
Citing the findings of the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) Bulletin 2022-23 and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the Chief Minister said that Assam is now not among the most backward states in the country in terms of maternal health, but among the states that have contributed significantly to India’s health progress.
Addressing a public event, Sarma said, “Assam’s maternal mortality rate is a historic decline from 480 to 84. Today the state’s MMR is better than the national average. This is a testament to the increased investment in the health sector, expansion of infrastructure and the success of behavior change campaigns on maternal health.”
He said that when he took charge as the state health minister in 2006, Assam’s maternal mortality rate was the highest in the country.
Sarma said, “At that time Assam’s maternal mortality rate was around 480 per lakh live births. The state was at the bottom on almost every national parameter of health and was about 300 points behind the national average. But as per the latest report of SRS 2022-23, Assam’s MMR has now come down to 84 and the state has reached 10th position among Indian states. This is also four points better than the national average of 88.”
The Chief Minister attributed this achievement to consistent policy interventions in the health sector, expansion of health infrastructure, promotion of institutional deliveries, improvement in maternal and child health services, increase in health budget and increasing awareness among pregnant women.
He claimed that today Assam’s public health system is counted among the most effective health systems in the country.
Sarma said, “Today, Assam is no longer a backward state in the field of health. We have carved our own identity in India’s health and development journey. The state government will continue to further strengthen the health sector to maintain and take forward the achievements made in the last two decades.”
–IANS
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