Issues of Maternal and Child Health in India

Abstract

Mothers and children are a large and vulnerable population subgroup in any country. Women face unique dangers when it comes to childbearing, while children face dangers throughout their lives. Maternal and child health (MCH) services were bolstered in India during 1992-93 by the government's introduction of the National Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Program, which aimed to address the myriad health needs of women and children. Although available data in India show a significant decrease in maternal mortality over the last three decades, the rate of mortality remains alarmingly high. However, if deliveries were performed by skilled and trained personnel in clean environments, approximately 70% of maternal deaths could be avoided. The rate of maternal mortality is similar to the rate of infant mortality, the infant mortality rate has decreased significantly, but it is still high. The leading causes of infant death are low birth weight, premature birth, infections, birth injuries, and congenital malformations. Malnutrition, infection, and the consequences of uncontrolled fertility are the main issues currently affecting MCH in India. India's natural resource base is being eroded, putting the agricultural economy, on which the majority of Indians rely for their livelihood, in jeopardy. Furthermore, social issues such as female foeticide, female infanticide, female child neglect, lack of awareness, and insufficient availability and use of MCH services compound the impact of the country's major medical MCH issues.