Maternal mortality rate declining: Azad

Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said various interventions by the government has helped in the decline of maternal mortality rate in the country.

Chairing a meeting of the Consultative Committee of Parliament attached to his Ministry, the Minister said the government is implementing a number of strategies and making interventions for improved maternal health outcomes.

"Maternal mortality rate has declined from 301 per 100,000 live births in 2001-03 to 254 in 2004-05 and further declined to 212 in 2007-09.

"The pace of decline has shown an increasing trend from 4.1 per cent annual rate of decline during 2001-03 to 5.55 in 2004-06 and further to 5.8 per cent in 2007-09," he said.