Reducing maternal mortality in India – A five-pronged comprehensive strategy

Title : Reducing maternal mortality in India – A five-pronged comprehensive strategy

Abstract:

The recent special bulletin on maternal mortality in India published by the government indicated a decrease in maternal mortality rate from 130 per lakh live births (2014-16) to 97 per lakh live births in 2018-20, yet the numbers of maternal mortality remain high. The high number of maternal deaths in some areas of the world reflects inequalities in access to quality health services and highlights the gap between rich and poor. The rates of maternal mortality in the United States and other high income developed countries are in the range of 10 to 15 deaths per 100 000 live births, while the rates in developing & low-income countries in 2020 was in the range of 200 to 1000 per 100 000 live births. The latest available data suggest that in high income and upper middle income countries, approximately 99% of all births benefit from the presence of a trained midwife, doctor or nurse. However, only 68% in low income and 78% in lower-middle-income countries are assisted by such skilled health personnel. This paper tries to analyze multiple techniques and models used in India and other countries to create a solid five-pronged strategy to counter the mortality rate. Five specific theories and approaches have been discussed: model on levels of delay, Modified Early Obstetric Warning Score (MEOWS), Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC), Inter Facility Transfer (IFT) and free referral transfer system. Sixty-six journal articles and websites were analyzed to review the benefits and drawbacks of existing methods used in India. Suggestions are also offered to improve the existing strategies currently in use in rural and urban Indian healthcare settings. An integration of these approaches have been suggested to create a comprehensive strategy to improve outcomes and fill the existing gaps. This comprehensive strategy may later help in India’s goal of reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target 3.1 i.e. to reduce the maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 1,00, 000 live births.

Biography:

Dr. Kuldeep Dwivedi is a research scholar currently engaged in the domain of Publicly Funded Health Insurance with a focus on achieving Universal Health Coverage in low- and middle-income countries. Trained as a medico-professional, he holds a Master’s degree in Hospital and Healthcare Management and possesses strong expertise in healthcare administration, with clinical administration being his core area of interest.
With approximately 7 years of total professional experience, Dr. Dwivedi has spent 4 years in clinical roles as a Resident Medical Officer and Medical Administrator across key departments such as casualty, ICU, and inpatient wards, where he actively contributed to the implementation of government healthcare programs. Over the past 3 years, he has been deeply involved in academics and research, contributing scholarly insights to the field of public health and health policy.