Uttarakhand among top 8 states with worst mortality ratio according to survey
Maternal deaths have reduced up to 45% since 1990 across the globe, according to the latest data of World Health Organization (WHO). However, every day approximately 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. India accounts for a huge number of such maternal deaths.
As per the annual health survey (AHS), second updation, maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of Uttarkhand is 165 per lakh live births. While Kumaon division has recorded an MMR of 182, Garhwal Garhwal has registered 158 MMR. India’s MMR, or maternal mortality ratio (number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live child births), was 178 in 2010-12, worse than poorer countries such as Myanmar and Nepal, and about the same as Laos and Papua New Guinea, according to WHO data. As many as 50,000 pregnant women die every year in India during childbirth, according to the UN report.
With these figures, Uttarakhand has been placed among the eight worst MMR states of India. It has been categorized with Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand for having abnormally high MMR based on Sample registration System (SRS), RGI office, 2013 & 2011-13 reports. Haridwar is among the worst MMR cities of Uttarakhand. It registered the highest (50%) maternal deaths across Uttarakhand in previous financial year as well as in the first quarter of FY 2015-16.
