Karnataka’s MMR reduces to 69 per lakh live births; State achieves UN SDG target ahead of schedule 

Karnataka’s MMR, however, continues to be the highest among the five southern States

Karnataka’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has declined by 14 points from 83 per lakh live births in 2017–18 to 69 in 2018–20, indicating that the number of women dying during childbirth has come down significantly.

With this, Karnataka is one of the eight States in the country that have achieved the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target much ahead of schedule. In terms of percentage, the State’s MMR has dropped by 16.9%.

The United Nations had set the SDG target of reaching an MMR of 70 per lakh live births by 2030. This target had been fixed as a mark of improved health outcomes for the developing world.

The MMR is a significant indicator that defines the public health of a State. It determines the progress made by States in saving the lives of pregnant women during pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation.

Karnataka’s MMR has been declining since 2016. It had reduced by nine points from 92 per lakh live births in 2016–18 to 83 in 2017–19, during the pre-COVID-19 period. In 2014–16, the State’s MMR was 108 and it subsequently reduced to 97 in 2015–17.

According to the latest Sample Registration System 2018–20 bulletin for the MMR released by the Registrar-General of India on Tuesday, Karnataka’s MMR continues to be the highest among the five southern States. The decline in Karnataka is the fourth highest after Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, among the five southern States.

While Kerala tops the list with the lowest MMR — 19 per lakh live births, Assam has the highest at 195.