Inequities in Maternal Mortality Rate and its Implications in the State of Odisha: An Analysis

Abstract

Maternal morbidity and mortality along with infant mortality rate is universally considered as human development indicators in a country and determines the health status of the people. In spite of  various plans and programmes, the reduction in MMR and IMR is much below the target rate. Odisha is one of the poorest states in India having MMR 358 per 1,00,000 live births as per SRS-2003 which is much higher than the national average and significantly contributing high MMR of the country. The poor health infrastructure and lack of skilled personnel/health professionals affect the effective delivery of maternal health care services leading to high maternal mortality and imbalanced growth in the society.