Tue Feb 11 18:58:00 UTC 2025: **India’s Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Rates Plummet**

**Chennai, February 12, 2025** – India has witnessed a dramatic decline in maternal and neonatal mortality rates over the past three decades, exceeding global average improvements, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda announced in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has fallen by 83%, significantly surpassing the global average reduction of 42%. Similarly, the Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) has dropped by 65%, outperforming the global average of 51%.

Minister Nadda attributed this success to collaborative efforts between the central and state governments. He highlighted a substantial increase in the budget for the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), rising from ₹935.74 lakh in 2021-22 to ₹8,312.06 lakh in 2023-24.

The government’s strategy includes widespread awareness campaigns, health camps targeting pregnant women, and initiatives like Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days and Mobile Medical Units focusing on underserved areas. While significant progress has been made, the Minister acknowledged regional disparities, with states like Kerala and Maharashtra exhibiting lower mortality rates than Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. State-wise data on maternal mortality, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths was presented to illustrate these variations.

Read More