The significant downward trend in Maternal Mortality Rate in Assam calls for three cheers for all those involved, especially the Health Department and the National Health Mission as well as administration across districts. A drop in MMR is generally the outcome of a calibrated strategy that involves a bottoms-up approach. Beginning with the nondescript but very vital actor ASHA to health care workers at the sub centres, State dispensaries and district hospitals to doctors and policy makers, all have played their part to achieve this.
We must bear in mind that historically MMR among tea garden workers and those living in char areas, and difficult terrains is naturally high. Therefore, concerted action must continue to bring about a further reduction in MMR. Amid all these cheers, it must not be forgotten that the rate is still very high vis-à-vis many other States in the country. It would be premature to declare the latest announcement as a total victory.
Geographical terrain, heavy rains, annual floods, creaky road and health infrastructure, and behavioural issues contribute their bit to an adverse MMR. Hence, policy makers would do well to direct limited resources at their disposal to where it matters most, and prevent fund leakage while fixing accountability to win this battle.
