India has achieved the National Health Policy (NHP) target of a maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 100 deaths per one lakh live births, Health Minister claims
| Photo Credit: GOPINATHAN K

India has achieved the National Health Policy (NHP) target of a maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 100 deaths per one lakh live births, and between 1990 to 2020, MMR in India declined by 83%, which was much higher than the decline in Global MMR, Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda said on Tuesday (March 4, 2025).

Mr. Nadda was chairing the ninth meeting of the National Health Mission’s (NHM) Mission Steering Group, the highest policy-making and governance body under the NHM for the health sector. 

The Minister said that a 69% decline was observed in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in India during this period, while the decline in Global IMR was 55%. Additionally, there has been a 75% decline in the ‘Under 5 [years] Mortality Rate’ while the global rate of decline was 58%. 

At the meeting, the Minister stressed the need to translate the agendas and objectives of different health schemes, and the importance of the roles of officers, including Chief Medical Officers (CMO), at the ground level to achieve this. 

“Enhancing and strengthening the capacities of CMOs is vital as is the need for training and capacity-building exercises, so that their capacities can be utilised in the best way possible; that will pave the way for achieving required results of healthcare schemes at the grassroot level,’’ Mr. Nadda said.

Mr. Nadda also spoke about the role of ASHA workers in the healthcare system and remarked on the need for their further empowerment and welfare through revised incentives for routine activities, and providing enhanced honorariums.

While commending developments in strengthening health infrastructure through new technological advances, Mr. Nadda also said the quality of the latest additions, including the Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri (BHISHM), should be ensured.