Assam records India’s highest maternal mortality ratio reduction, marking a 28-point drop. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma credits improved maternal healthcare and PM Modi’s leadership.
Guwahati May 8 (IANS): Assam has emerged as the top-performing state in reducing maternal mortality, achieving a record 28-point drop in its Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Thursday.
MMR measures the number of women who die due to pregnancy-related causes per 100,000 live births. The latest Sample Registration System (SRS) 2019–21 report reveals Assam’s MMR fell from 195 to 167, the sharpest decline among all Indian states.
Taking to social media platform X, CM Sarma hailed this as a historic public health achievement for the state. “Assam’s MMR has seen an unprecedented reduction of 28 points. This is the steepest decline recorded nationwide,” he posted.
HUGE BREAKTHROUGH for Assam!
As per the latest SRS 2019–21 report:
⏬MMR drops from 195 to 167 — a record 28-point fall, the HIGHEST among all states!
✅Assam is NO LONGER the state with the highest MMR.
⏫IMR improves to 36 (from 38) — steady gains in child health.This…
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 8, 2025
This improvement signifies a turning point for Assam, which no longer holds the unfortunate distinction of the highest MMR in the country. The Chief Minister attributed the success to strengthened maternal healthcare infrastructure and targeted public health interventions.
Sarma also noted encouraging trends in child health outcomes. “The state’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has dropped from 38 to 36, indicating expanded access to neonatal care, increased community awareness, and better healthcare outreach services,” he said.
Expressing appreciation for national support, Sarma credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enabling this progress. “This transformation has been possible under the visionary leadership and consistent backing of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The central government’s focus on healthcare reform, especially in rural and underserved regions, has laid the foundation for such results,” he said.
He also lauded the tireless efforts of Assam’s healthcare workers, ASHAs, and ground-level staff. “Their dedication has been pivotal in driving maternal and child health improvements across the state,” the Chief Minister added.
Historically, Assam faced severe challenges in maternal health. According to the Registrar General of India’s ‘Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality’ (2018–2020), released in 2022, the state reported 195 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. That figure was down from 215 during 2016–2018 and a staggering 480 in 2005.
At the national level, India is also making significant strides in reducing both maternal and infant deaths. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, informed Parliament in March that India’s overall MMR declined by 33 points—from 130 in 2014–16 to 97 in 2018–20. She also noted that the national IMR dropped from 39 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 28 in 2020.
Assam’s performance marks a major milestone in the country’s health journey and sets a benchmark for other states striving to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
