NEWS

Karnataka’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has declined by nine points from 92 per lakh live births in 2016-2018 to 83 in 2017-2019, during the pre-COVID-19 period

DETAILS

• The details was recorded in recent NFHS
• In 2014-2016, the State’s MMR was 108 and it subsequently reduced to 97 in 2015-2017
• In terms of percentage, MMR has dropped by 9.78%
• Karnataka’s MMR continues to be the highest among the five southern States
• The decline in Karnataka is the second highest after Kerala among the five southern States, indicating that the number of women dying during childbirth has come down significantly, according to the latest Sample Registration System 2017-2019 bulletin for MMR released by the Registrar-General of India on Friday
• Besides, Karnataka’s ranking has improved from 9th to 8th position in the country
• While Kerala tops the list with the lowest MMR — 30 per one lakh live births, Assam has the highest at 205. While Uttar Pradesh has recorded the highest decline in MMR, from 197 in 2016-2018 to 167 in 2017-2019, West Bengal has recorded the highest increase, from 98 in 2016-2018 to 109 in 2017-2019

MATERNAL MORTALITY RATIO

• Number of maternal deaths during a given time period per 100,000 live births during the same time period
• Depicts the risk of maternal death relative to the number of live births and essentially captures the risk of death in a single pregnancy or a single live birth
• Significant indicator that defines the public health of a State
• Determines the progress made by States in saving the lives of pregnant women during pregnancy, childbirth and lactation