Strategies for Safe Motherhood in Tamil Nadu: A Note

William Joe, B Subha Sri (), Jyotsna Sharma (), Y Manasa Shanta () and Suresh Sharma ()
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Suresh Sharma: Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi

No 357, IEG Working Papers from Institute of Economic Growth

Abstract: It is important to identify and outline the role of governments, health and other sectors, communities, and households toachieve faster reductions in maternal mortality. While most states in India are grappling with the problem of high MMR, states such as Tamil Nadu have managed to reduce MMR levels to 79 deaths per 100,000 live births (SRS 2011-13). Against this backdrop, we review the policy experience of Tamil Nadu in achieving faster decline in maternal mortality. Tamil Nadu not only allows capturing the role of developmental factors but also presents an interesting case to explore the importance of governance in health systems. The public health system in Tamil Nadu has promoted skilled care by ensuring adequate supply of human resources for health and by improving access to a functioning referral system. This review also presents a framework for synergistic policy to cover determinants including health system, economic growth, developmental infrastructure, education, nutritional status and a focus on the marginalised sub-groups. In concluding, we identify that for sustained MMR reduction, Tamil Nadu has to eliminate intra-state inequities and focus on interventions to reduce all preventable causes of maternal deaths. It is expected that some of the lessons from the Tamil Nadu experience can be replicated by Empowered Action Group states to achieve faster reductions in maternal mortality.

Keywords: MMR; maternal mortality; maternal health; Tamil Nadu (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 32 pages
Date: 2015
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Published as Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi, 2015, pages 1-32

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Working Paper: Strategies for Safe Motherhood in Tamil Nadu: A Note (2015)
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