Discuss the factors responsible for the high infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate in India?…

Question

Discuss the factors responsible for the high infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate in India? What policy measures do you suggest to improve these indicators?

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

High infant and maternal mortality in India stem from neonatal and obstetric complications, malnutrition, early marriage, poor sanitation, low institutional delivery and weak public health spending. Key remedies are filling health staff vacancies, empowering ASHA and anganwadi workers, scaling Janani Suraksha Yojana and raising health budgets.

**Introduction**

India’s high infant mortality rate⟦1⟧ (IMR) and maternal mortality rate (MMR) persist due to healthcare access issues, socio-economic disparities, and infrastructural deficits, hindering Sustainable Development Goals.

**Factors Responsible for High Infant Mortality Rate in India**

SKETCH: fishbone | Causes of High Infant Mortality Rate  
effect: High Infant Mortality Rate  
- Medical causes  
- Socio-economic factors  
- Cultural practices  
- Environmental conditions

1. **Neonatal Complications and Healthcare Gaps**: Preterm birth complications and infections remain leading causes, worsened by inadequate institutional care and skilled staff shortages in rural India.  
2. **Socio-economic and Cultural Barriers**: Poverty, low maternal education, and gender discrimination limit healthcare access, with ==Scheduled Tribes== and rural populations disproportionately affected.

**Factors Responsible for High Maternal Mortality Rate in India**

1. **Medical Complications and Infrastructure Deficits**: Post-partum haemorrhage, sepsis, unsafe abortions, and anaemia cause maternal deaths, worsened by ==Andhra Pradesh⟦3⟧⟦2⟧’s 22% vacancy in secondary healthcare medical officers== and low public health spending.  
2. **Low Institutional Delivery and Antenatal Care**: Despite improvements, many women still deliver at home due to fear or access issues; only 70% receive first trimester antenatal visits.

**Policy Measures to Improve Infant and Maternal Mortality Indicators**

1. **Strengthening Health Infrastructure and Workforce**: Upgrade facilities and fill vacancies, prioritizing underserved areas like ==Andhra Pradesh’s shortage of Community Health Centres⟦4⟧==.  
2. **Promoting Institutional Deliveries and Antenatal Care**: Scale up Janani Suraksha Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana with better monitoring and incentives.  
3. **Increasing Public Health Expenditure and Data Systems**: Raise health budgets and improve data collection for targeted interventions.

**Conclusion**

Integrated policy measures addressing medical, socio-economic, and infrastructural challenges are vital to sustainably reduce India’s IMR and MMR.

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