World Health Day: India leads regional efforts toward resilient healthcare

The World Health Organization (WHO) has dedicated this year’s World Health Day to the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” spotlighting the urgent global need to prioritize maternal and newborn health. Marking its 77th anniversary on April 7, the UN agency emphasized that the health and well-being of mothers and infants form the foundation of a healthier, more equitable world. WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Saima Wazed underscored that health is a generational legacy—one that begins even before birth and shapes the future of societies.
The WHO South-East Asia Region has demonstrated global leadership by achieving the fastest reductions in maternal and child mortality. Between 2010 and 2023, the region recorded a 53% reduction in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR), a 44% drop in the neonatal mortality rate (NMR), a 39% decline in the stillbirth rate (SBR), and a 49% reduction in the under-five mortality rate (U5MR).
Aligned with WHO’s vision, India has made remarkable strides in maternal and child health.  India’s commitment to maternal health is reflected through flagship government programs like Janani Suraksha Yojana, SUMAN, and the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, which have significantly expanded access to free maternity and antenatal care. Institutional deliveries now account for 88.8% of all births. Over 41,000 public health facilities provide maternal services, with more than 1,100 labour rooms and 800 maternity operation theatres certified under the LaQshya quality assurance initiative.
Over the past three decades, India has made remarkable strides in reducing maternal and child mortality. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India saw a significant decline—from 130 per 1,00,000 live births in 2014–16 to 97 in 2018–20. Between 1990 and 2020, India achieved an impressive 83% reduction in MMR, far outpacing the global decline of 42% during the same period.
Similar progress is evident in child health indicators. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) dropped from 39 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 28 in 2020. The Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) fell from 26 to 20 per 1,000 live births, and the Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) decreased from 45 to 32 in the same timeframe. In terms of long-term trends from 1990 to 2020, India recorded a 65% reduction in NMR, 69% in IMR, and 75% in U5MR—again surpassing global reductions of 51%, 55%, and 58% respectively. These outcomes reflect India’s sustained commitment to maternal and child health and its growing leadership in global health progress.