Significant decline in MMR in J’khand

The health sector of Jharkhand finally has something to boast about. The State has registered a considerable decline in the percentage of Maternal Mortality Rate. According to the Sample Registration Survey (SRS) statistics released recently, the State has registered an MMR of 165 during childbirth, which is 43 less than the previous survey done in the year 2011-13.

The SRS survey statistics show that the MMR in Jharkhand has reached close to the national average figure of 130. And, Jharkhand has clinched the sixth spot among the States that have lowered their MMR. The survey conducted among 3,91,838 women during the years 2014-2016 revealed that post delivery lifetime risk among women was 0.6 per cent.

 Principal Secretary of Health department Nidhi Khare said that the encouraging data was the result of continuous monitoring of Janani Suraksha, Janani Shishu Suraksha and Pradhanmantri Matritwa Suraksha Abhiyan. She said that more work need to be done to bring the MMR rate less than the national average.

Mission Director of National Health Mission, Kripanand Jha said that the efforts of health workers in all the districts have been commendable in bringing the MMR down. He said that the MMR needs to be brought down further with extra efforts from the officials and workers of the department. They need to make frequent field visits and follow necessary instruction, he said.

The health department has begun Mukhbir Yojna to stop child marriage, which is 38 per cent in the State. The department is also trying to spread awareness among villagers in rural Jharkhand through Sahiyas to curb teenage pregnancy. Khare said that High Risk Pregnancy category women were being identified and facilities are being made to make them reach the nearest referral hospital by 108 ambulance service. She said that several other steps were being taken to curb the MMR in the State.