22 percent drop in maternal mortality rates since 2013: Choubey

New Delhi: India has registered a record 22 per cent drop in Maternal Mortality Ratio since 2013 -- the highest percentage decline so far -- when compared to all the previous reductions in MMR as per the earlier rounds of SRS. Stating this, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey, said.

''Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of India has declined from 167 in 2011-2013 to 130 in 2014-2016. It is because of the joint efforts of the Health Ministry and the states. I congratulate the states and all stakeholders associated with this achievement." He was speaking at the release of the 11th Common Review Mission (CRM) report function here.

Addressing the participants, Mr Choubey said 60 per cent to 70 per cent of health work in the states is done through the National Health Mission which has a huge responsibility in making India healthy and disease free. Due to strengthened system of healthcare delivery, the NHM has led to improved health outcomes and health indicators "The NHM continues to play an important role in strengthening public health systems at the state and sub-district levels,'' Mr Choubey stated and was of the view that state Health Ministers should also be adequately informed about NHM activities as this would enhance their involvement in the programme.

The 11th CRM team visited 16 states/UTs, of which four were the North-Eastern States, six High Focus States and 6 Non-High Focus States. The terms of reference included service delivery; quality assurance; RMNCH+A; human resources; community processes; information and knowledge; healthcare financing; procurement of drugs, diagnostics and supply chain management; NUHM; and governance and management. The CRM report spans all aspects of health system reform and uses a mix of methods -- including secondary data review, rapid assessment of facilities, and implementer and beneficiary perspectives.

Health Secretary Preeti Sudan termed NHM as a great institutional framework as it helped to assimilate government structures, diverse working conditions and priorities existing in the states. NHM, she said,''provides multi-sectoral flexibility and convergence to the states to implement shared health goals.''She informed that the ministry had undertaken to strengthen Sub Health Centres as Health and Wellness Centres (HWC-SHC) in a phased manner so as to meet the commitment of operationalising 1,50,000 HWC by 2022.

"One of the key elements is the mid-level provider in HWCs. We must focus on training them and enhancing their capacities," she added. Pointing out that the NMC Bill would enable flexibility in hiring manpower in the states, she suggested that NHM needs to look at Anti-microbial Resistance (AMR) especially in SNCUs and should ensure that they are infection free. She also emphasised on the need for developing a specific time-bound strategy for leprosy and kala-azar districts, an official release here said.