Assam MMR still highest in the country
With the highest Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) the Centre’s latest estimates are a mixed bag for Assam . MMR is the rate of women who die in child birth as a proportion of the population. Against a national average of 212, the MMR in Assam is 390, the highest in the country, according to the MMR bulletin released by the Home Ministry on July 7th, 2011. The only silver lining in the bulletin is that MMR in Assam has declined from 480(during 2004- 2006) period to 390(2007- 2009)
This 90 point drop from 480 to 390 is however major improvement of Assam ‘s MMR statistics. Assam has seen significant efforts by the state government in the health field to bring down MMR IMR(Infant Mortality rate ) and TFR (Total Fertility Rates). Though much work remains to be done as Assam is still the worst performer in the MMR sector, ranking at the bottom, below Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh which had an MMR rate of 308.
It is heartening that the maternal mortality ratio of India has declined from 254 in 2004- 2006 to 212 in 2007-2009. The decline has been most significant in empowered action group (EAG) states.