Lok Sabha Question No. 5577 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Maternal and Infant Mortality Rate
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasama, Shri Dharmendra Yadav

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5577 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH APRIL 2025

## MATERNALAND INFANT MORTALITY RATE

## 5577. SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA: SHRI DHARMENDRAYADAV:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the Infant Mortality Rate in the country at present;
- (b) whether the maternal mortality rate is still very high in the country particularly in rural areas;
- (c) if so, the details thereof alongwith the major factors contributing to maternal mortality;
- (d) the success made so far in addressing these factors;
- (e) the maternal mortality rate to women and children due to lack of quality health services in the country particularly in the rural areas;
- (f) the role of the Government in providing quality health services to women and children particularly in rural areas;
- (g) whether the Government is aware of the primary health issues and toilet-related concerns of adolescent girls in the country; and
- (h) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to address these issues?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

- (a) As per Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2020 of Registrar General of India (RGI), the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is 28 per 1000 live births at National level.

(b) to (d) As per the SRS-RGI report on causes of Maternal Deaths across the country, the identified primary causes of maternal deaths are Haemorrhage, Sepsis, Unsafe abortion, Hypertensive Disorders, Obstructed labour and others. The Government of India implements evidence-based interventions for better maternal health outcomes along with guidelines and protocols on maternal care. As per the SRS report released by the RGI, the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of the country is 97 per lakh live births in 2018-20 and has shown significant decline of 33 points from 130 in 2014-16 to 97 in 2018-20.

(e) and (f) LaQshya and MusQan are quality improvement initiatives of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) aimed at enhancing maternal and child healthcare in public health facilities. LaQshya focuses on improving intrapartum and post-partum care in labour rooms and maternity OTs, while MusQan ensures child-friendly services by strengthening infrastructure, equipment, skilled staff, and clinical protocols in public health facilities.

(g) and (h) The primary health issues of adolescent girls are addressed through the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) implemented by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, since 2014 to address adolescent health issues, covering sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, non-communicable diseases, substance abuse, injuries, gender-based violence and mental health.

Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs) provide counselling on adolescent health concerns, while Peer Educators (PEs) conduct participatory sessions to enhance awareness. The Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) programme ensures supervised Iron Folic Acid (IFA) tablet distribution in schools and anganwadi centres to prevent anaemia through interministerial collaboration.

The Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene raises awareness and improves access to sanitary napkins with safe disposal methods. The School Health Programme, under Ayushman Bharat, strengthens health promotion and disease prevention through school-based interventions.

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