Delhi Reports Significant Decline in Maternal Mortality Ratio: Comprehensive Healthcare Improvements Between 2019-2024

The report referenced National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data as a key source for maternal health statistics in Delhi.

New Delhi:

According to a recent report, the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in Delhi has shown a modest decrease from 0.55 in 2019 to 0.44 in 2024. This information comes from 'Women and Men in Delhi-2025', a document published by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics of the Delhi government based on secondary data analysis.

The report references the 'Annual Report on Registration of Births and Deaths in Delhi' to substantiate the decline in maternal mortality figures over this five-year period.

Additionally, the Sample Registration System indicates that women's average age at marriage in Delhi reached 24.6 years in 2022, representing a 2.2-year increase since 2011. This exceeds the national average, which stands at 22.7 years—a 1.5-year increase during the same timeframe.

The National Family Health Survey data highlights significant improvements in women's healthcare accessibility. The percentage of mothers receiving postnatal care from healthcare professionals within two days of delivery in Delhi has risen substantially from 62.3 percent (NFHS-4, 2015-16) to 85.4 percent (NFHS-5, 2019-21). Nationally, this figure increased from 62.4 percent to 78 percent during the same period.

Institutional births in Delhi have also shown positive growth, increasing from 84.4 percent in 2015-16 to 91.8 percent in 2019-21, according to NFHS data. The report suggests that improvements in ante and postnatal care, along with increased births attended by skilled medical personnel, are expected to contribute to further reductions in maternal mortality.

NFHS reports from 2015-16 and 2019-21 demonstrate an upward trend in mothers receiving antenatal checkups during the first trimester of pregnancy in Delhi, rising from 63 percent to 76.4 percent.

The report also emphasizes the risks of anemia among pregnant women. Iron deficiency-related anemia in pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes including preterm delivery, low birthweight, and decreased iron reserves for infants, potentially impeding development.

Failure to address anemia could result in millions of women experiencing compromised health and quality of life while also hampering children's development and learning capabilities.

NFHS data reveals a notable decrease in anemia cases among women aged 15-49 years in Delhi, dropping from 54.3 percent (2015-16) to 49.9 percent (2019-21). In contrast, national figures show an increase from 53.1 percent to 57 percent during the same period.