Page 19 - NIS English 16-30 September, 2025

Health | COVER STORY

Decline in maternal-infant mortality rate

According to the report
of the United Nations
Maternal Mortality
93 Estimation Inter-Agency
130 Group (UN-MMEIG), the
maternal mortality rate in
India has declined by 86%
between 1990 and 2023.
2014 2021
Maternal mortality rate (per lakh births)

Share of expenditure on the health Infant mortality rate
sector in GDP increased steadily (per 1,000 live births)
There has been a decline of
2 1.84 71% in India between 1990
1.8 39 27 and 2023, while globally this
1.6 1.35 1.6 2014 2021 decline was 58%.
1.4 1.18 1.22 1.28 1.35
1.2 1.13
1
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 Neonatal mortality rate
(per 1,000 live births)
26 19
Share of government expenditure 2014 2021
on health increased in the general
government expenditure Mortality rate of
children under 5
7 6.12 years of age
6 5.12 4.81 5.02 (per 1,000 live births)
5 3.94 4.07 4.41 4.98
4
3
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 45 31
2014 2021
(*Note- all figures in percentage) (*Data as per Sample Registration
System Statistical Report 2021)

once dependent on privilege, Prime Minister Modi in 2014, health care in India was a burden on the
has redefined the foundation of public health facili- poor. Families often had to choose between medical
ties by ensuring that no Indian is left behind. Before treatment and other necessities. This is changing
2014, health was a neglected sector in India, even rapidly. Out-of-pocket expenditure on health has
after 70 years of independence, universal healthcare decreased rapidly.
remained on paper. But the current central govern-
ment has made it a reality with the Ayushman Bharat NOW, AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE,
scheme. The health budget has increased by 85%, RELIABLE HEALTH SERVICES REACH
ensuring that resources reach every corner of the EVERY HOME
country. Before Prime Minister Modi came to power India’s healthcare system has transformed in the last

September 16-30, 2025 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 17