In Gujarat, the maternal mortality rate (MMR) has plummeted steadily over the past five years, reflecting a reduction in the risk associated with pregnancy among women.
In accordance with sample registration system (SRS) data, the MMR in Gujarat decreased from 87 in SRS 2015–17 to 57 in SRS 2018–20, according to data supplied by the Union Government during the current budget session of parliament. MMR is defined as the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births resulting from pregnancy or abortion.
The maternal mortality rate is used to reflect the risk that women face during pregnancy. According to SRS 2018-20, Gujarat is ranked thirteenth in the nation, with twelve other states having a greater MM than Gujarat.
According to the pre-budget survey, the Government places a significant emphasis on ensuring residents’ access to high-quality healthcare.
To attain this objective, numerous complex activities, including Mission Indradhanush, Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat, the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, and the Ayushman Digital Mission, have been developed and are being implemented for the public’s benefit.
As part of the National Health Mission, the Government has made concerted efforts to engage with all major sectors and stakeholders in order to promote the goals of achieving universal health coverage and providing high-quality healthcare services to all at affordable prices.
According to the Economic Survey, India boasts one of the world’s largest healthcare systems. The most recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS) report illustrates how major health-related metrics have improved due to a successful health strategy: a) Institutional births increased from 78.9% in 2015–16 to 88.8% in 2019–2021. b) From 2015–16 to 2019–2021, the infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) decreased from 29.5 to 24.9. c). The under-five mortality rate declined from 41.9 in NFHS 5 e to 41.9 in NFHS 4 (2015-16), but the new-born mortality rate decreased from 40.7 in NFHS 4 (2015-16) to 35.2 in NFHS 5 d. According to data from vaccination cards or mothers’ recalls, the proportion of 12- to 23-month-old children who are fully immunised rose from 62.0% in 2016 to 76.4% in 2021.
The percentage of infants under the age of six who were exclusively breastfed will increase from 54.9% in 2016 to 63.7% in 2021. Concerning malnutrition, the proportion of stunted children under five (tall for age) decreased from 38.4% in the NFHS-4 to 35.5% in the NHFS-5. Between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5, the percentage of children under five who were underweight decreased from 35.8% to 32.1%, while the percentage of children under five who were underweight decreased from 21.0% to 19.3%. (Weight-for-Height).
According to the Economic Survey, school dropout rates have declined substantially across all grade levels in recent years. Both genders are experiencing a decline.
Samagra Shiksha, the Right to Education Act, improvements to school infrastructure and facilities, residential hostel buildings, teacher availability, regular teacher training, free textbooks, uniforms for children, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, and the PM Poshan Scheme play a significant role in increasing student enrolment and retention in schools.
According to a research, basic school amenities such as hand-washing stations, drinking water, and separate boys’ and girls’ lavatories increased in 2022 compared to previous years. Because of the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, schools now have access to water and sanitation.
