Hyderabad: Telangana has recorded better outcomes than the national average across key maternal and child health indicators, according to the recently released state socio-economic outlook 2026.The state’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) stands at 43 maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births in Telangana, lower than the national average of 88. The infant mortality rate (IMR) is 18 per 1,000 live births, compared with 25 nationally. The under-five mortality rate is 22 against 29 nationally, while the neonatal mortality rate is 14 compared with India’s 19. The total fertility rate (TFR) in Telangana is also lower at 1.5, compared with the national figure of 1.9. Institutional deliveries in the state are at 99.9%, higher than the national average of 88.6%.‘28.3L women screened’The report attributed these outcomes to sustained investments in maternal healthcare and a lifecycle approach to women’s health. It added that programmes such as Aarogya Mahila have expanded screening services for cancer, micronutrient deficiencies, and reproductive health issues across 372 facilities. Around 28.3 lakh women have been screened under the initiative.Additionally, to address anaemia and malnutrition, the govt has focused on nutrition interventions, monitoring gestational weight gain, and providing targeted nutritional support. Mental health screening has also been integrated into routine maternal care to support women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.The report noted that improved maternal outcomes are linked to strengthened antenatal care (ANC) protocols. The state aims to ensure that 95% of pregnancies are registered early, within the first trimester, and that at least 90% of pregnant women receive four or more ANC visits.Efforts to manage high-risk pregnancies have placed Telangana among the top-performing states, with standard operating procedures implemented for 20 identified high-risk conditions. The state has also expanded access to diagnostic services, with 234 TIFFA scan machines installed across 69 secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities. Between April and December 2025, over 60,000 pregnant women availed themselves of these services.
