‘Saas-Bahu-Pati’ (mother-in-law, daughter-in-law and husband) meetings, ‘Pahal Kits’ are some of the unique initiatives that has helped Jharkhand bring down the maternity mortality rate (MMR) to 54 and infant mortality rate (IMR) to 25 – MMR already much lower than national target of 70 by 2030 and IMR at par with national rate, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
As of March, 2026, Jharkhand’s MMR has dropped to 54 per 100,000 live births according to the sample registration system (SRS) data of 2021-23 outperforming the national average of 80. This is even well below the national sustainable development goal (SDG) target of 70 by 2030. Unio MoS for health and family welfare Anupriya Patel placed this data on March 13, 2026.
Notably, the state had reported an MMR of 76 per 1 lakh live births in SRS 2015-17.
As for IMR, Jharkhand has reported 25-27 infant deaths per 1000 live births in SRS 2020-23 and is projected to bring it down to 26 by 2026-30 period from 34 in 2011-15. The state is well poised to reduce IMR below SDG target of 25 during 2026-30 period with current neo-natal mortality rate of 17 deaths per 1000 live births as of 2023-25 data.
West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan in the Kolhan division have, however, been showing higher MMR and IMR due to low birth weight (LBW) as per the SRS data.
“During a strategic review meeting on Wednesday, analysis of maternal mortality reasons showed that 15.5% deaths were due to postpartum haemorrhage, 12.5% due to high blood pressure and 6.9% due to sepsis. Officials were instructed to ensure verbal autopsy in every case of maternal death. It was also found that the main reasons for infant mortality are sepsis infection, breathing related problems, pneumonia and pre-mature birth. Officials were directed to ensure cent percent institutional delivery and special training to nurses working in the labour room,” Ajay Kumar Singh, Jharkhand additional chief secretary in-charge of state health, medical education and family welfare department, told HT on Thursday.
Interestingly, Jharkhand has achieved 75.8% institutional births as per 2019-21 data from 61.9% in 2015-16.
Singh said only five districts – Khunti, Lohardaga, Ramgarh, Sahibganj and Simdega had done 100% reporting of maternal deaths in the health management information system (HMIS) portal. “Whereas, Ranchi, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Bokaro and Dumka have reported more than the target. We have asked to ensure cent percent reporting,” added Singh.
“We are organising Saas-Bahu-Pati meetings under the National Health Mission (NHM). The objective is to develop positive mentality and point of view among the key members – husband, wife and mother-in-laws – by direct interactions among them towards family planning, health of mother and child. These meetings are also attended by health officials, sahiyas, anganwadi sevikas, local people’s representatives apart from the Saas, Babu and Patis. Various methods of family planning, mother and child health and benefits of small and healthy family such as birth spacing, contraceptives etc. are discussed. Especially, mother-in-laws are made aware of their decisive role in the family and the husband’s responsibility and cooperation,” said Singh.
Singh said a new initiative like ‘Nayee Pahal Kits’ distribution for newly married couples has been launched from Thursday. The idea is to make the new couples aware of family planning. The kit has items for birth spacing, contraceptives, medicines, health guides, safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery and importance of healthy family. This will help us further reduce the MMR and IMR rates. Sahiyas and health workers will distribute these kits to the couples door-to-door and these will also be available at the health centres,” added Singh.
