Assam CM: Reduced MMR is indicative of development

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that 'Assam is no longer the highest in MMR (Maternal Mortality Ratio). Now, Assam's MMR is better than several other states in the country'.

The Chief Minister said this while speaking to the media here today. He said, "When the NHM (National Health Mission) began in 2006, the MMR in Assam was very dismal. As many as 480 per lakh mothers died during delivery in 2006. The situation improved and came down to 125 per lakh mothers in 2020-22. It was a tough competition with other states in the country. However, we did it all. In fact, the golden period of the healthcare sector in Assam began in 2006. We've also reduced IMR (Infant Mortality Rate) from 68 per lakh in 2006 to 32 per lakh in 2020-22."

The Chief Minister said, "This sharpest decline in MMR has many factors behind it. As a whole, there has been overall development in health infrastructure in the state in the past few years. The dedicated services rendered by doctors, nurses and ASHA workers have a role. Decline in the teenage pregnancy as a result of a strict ban on child marriage in the state has its direct impact on the MMR. Now, we've almost come out from the historical backlog of high burdens of MMR and IMR. It is time to move forward, capitalising on all our effective strategies. We still have challenges related to stillbirth and perinatal mortality."

The Chief Minister said, "An improvement is indicative of development in all sectors - health infrastructure, a better economy, better communication infrastructure that enables people to avail themselves of healthcare facilities and the like. Institutional delivery in Assam was just 22.4 per cent in 2006. Now, it is around 96 per cent. The total fertility rate in Assam was 2.9 in 2005 as against 2.1 in 2025. This speaks volumes about birth control in the state."

The Chief Minister said, "At present, the state has 5769 doctors, 7419 staff nurses, 9989 ANMs, 3212 community health officers, 7903 paramedical staff and adequately trained staff. It's their relentless efforts that have reduced the MMR in the state."

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