Lancet Maternal Death Report: One in every 10 mothers in the world dies in India! The Lancet report has shocked everyone; learn the full story.:A recent study published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women's Health has brought this concern to the forefront. Let's explain.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Every year, millions of women worldwide lose their lives due to causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, and India continues to account for a significant portion of this figure. A recent study published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women's Health has renewed this concern. Let's explain what this report reveals and why it raises concerns for India.

What came out in the report?

According to the report, approximately 240,000 women worldwide will die due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth in 2023. Of these, approximately 24,700 deaths were recorded in India. This means that nearly one in every 10 maternal deaths globally is associated with India, highlighting the severity of the situation. However, there is another side to the picture. India has made significant progress in this direction over the past three decades. From approximately 119,000 maternal deaths in 1990, the number decreased to 36,900 by 2015 and to 24,700 by 2023. Similarly, the maternal mortality rate has declined from 508 in 1990 to 116 per 100,000 live births in 2023.

What do experts say?

Experts agree that this improvement is still incomplete. Dr. Abha Majumdar told TOI that while maternal mortality rates have declined across the country, it's not uniform across all states. States like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have come close to world standards, while the situation remains challenging in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. The study also revealed that the major causes of maternal mortality remain largely preventable. These include excessive blood flow during childbirth, complications related to high blood pressure, and infections caused by pre-existing diseases.

Covid also plays a role

Furthermore, the lack of timely treatment, differences in the quality of healthcare, and inequality between rural and urban areas are also major factors. This is why the pace of improvement has slowed after 2015, whereas a sharp decline was previously recorded between 2000 and 2015. The situation is also not entirely satisfactory at the global level. The world's average maternal mortality rate in 2023 was 190 per 100,000 live births, which is significantly higher than the target of 70 as per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Experts say that the COVID-19 pandemic also exacerbated this problem, as maternal health services were affected during that period.