GOVERNMENT STRATEGIES TO REDUCE INFANT MORTALITY RATE AND MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE IN INDIA: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Background: Proper utilization of antenatal, postnatal care services plays an important role in reducing the maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate. This paper assesses maternal and child health care programs provided by the Government of India during pregnancy, delivery and post-delivery with the primary focus in improving Infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate.

AIM: This study aimed to focus on safe motherhood and childhood intervention programs and its impact on infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate in India.

Methods: Data regarding infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, Literacy rate were obtained from Niti Aayog, Government of India. Data regarding maternal health programs, child health programs were also obtained from the Ministry of health and family welfare, National Health Mission.  

Results: Government of India launched 15 maternal and child health programs since 1975 started with Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) Program providing immunization, nutritional supplements to pregnant women’s and under 3 age group children focusing to reduce infant mortality and maternal mortality rate in India. In the year 1995 infant Mortality rate was 74 per 1000 live births shows steady decrease in the year 2019 it was 30 per 1000 live births. Likewise in Maternal mortality rate it was 254 per 100000 live births in the year 2004 shows steady decrease in the year 2019 it was 130 per 100000 live births. Also female literacy rate shows a definite bearing on infant and maternal mortality rate in India.

Conclusions: Launching more maternal and child health programs in India by the government of India shows improvement in Infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate in India. Hence to reach sustainable development Goal Government of India should take more action to reach the goal (reducing maternal mortality rate to 70 per 100000 live births and infant mortality rate to 12 per 1000 live births) by the year 2030.