Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, announced a significant drop in the state’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) from 480 deaths per one lakh live births to 84. This achievement marks a milestone in Assam’s healthcare transformation, attributed to sustained investments and reforms in the public health sector. Sarma highlighted Assam’s transition from being one of the worst-performing states in maternal health to becoming a key contributor to India’s healthcare advancements.
The Chief Minister emphasized the comprehensive approach that led to this remarkable decline in Assam’s MMR. He mentioned various strategies, including increased healthcare spending and initiatives promoting behavioral changes to enhance maternal health. Sarma recalled the state’s past challenges, noting that Assam had one of the highest MMRs in the country when he took office as the Health Minister in 2006.
Acknowledging the progress made, Sarma credited consistent policy interventions, improved healthcare infrastructure, emphasis on institutional deliveries, enhanced maternal and child healthcare services, increased budget allocations, and heightened awareness among pregnant women for the positive transformation. He proudly stated that Assam’s public healthcare system is now recognized as one of the most effective in the nation.
Asserting Assam’s newfound status as a proactive contributor to India’s health and development journey, Sarma pledged to further fortify the state’s health sector to sustain the advancements achieved over the last two decades.
