The maternal mortality rate (MMR) in Bihar has come down from 208 to around 93 maternal deaths per one lakh live births in March 2017, according to the data available with the maternal health wing of the state health society (SHS).
The MMR 16 points lower than the national average target of 109 maternal deaths per one lakh live births fixed for 2015, Times of India reported.
“I would say this is a tremendous achievement for Bihar. The concerned body of the Centre would read the data on the reliable health management information system (HMIS),” Dr Phuleshwar Jha, programme officer of the maternal health wing of SHS, was quoted by TOI as saying.
“The achievement is also reflective of the growing high level of awareness among women and even at the family level about the need to have safe delivery,” he added.
Dr Jha told the daily that the major causes of deaths of pregnant women are anaemia, lack of proper nutrition and cleanliness, as well as the dreaded post-partum haemorrhage (PPH or severe bleeding following childbirth) caused in turn by tearing of the uterus and cervix.
