Bhopal, June 27: Madhya Pradesh is struggling with alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality, ranking it among the most challenged states in India regarding public health.

The recent Sample Registration System (SRS) report from the Registrar General of India indicates that the state has recorded 159 maternal deaths for every one lakh live births and 40 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

This SRS report provides estimates for Birth Rate, Death Rate, Natural Growth Rate, and Infant Mortality Rate for India and its states/union territories for the year 2022.

The report categorizes 'Bigger States/Union Territories' as those with populations exceeding 10 million, based on the 2011 Census.

In 2022, India's estimated Birth Rate was 19.1, while the Death Rate was 6.8, and the Infant Mortality Rate was estimated at 26 deaths per thousand live births.

These statistics reflect not just numbers but the deep sorrow of families who lose mothers and newborns due to inadequate healthcare access, delayed treatments, and insufficient delivery infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh.

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, speaking at a recent event in Bhopal, acknowledged slight improvements in these health indicators but stressed that significant work remains.

He called on health officials and medical professionals to intensify their efforts and treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves.

While the national Infant Mortality Rate is 26, Madhya Pradesh, governed by the BJP, has a rate of 40, which is 60% higher than the national average.

In 2013, India's Infant Mortality Rate was 40, which has since decreased by 35%. In contrast, Madhya Pradesh's rate has only dropped from 53 to 40 during the same period, indicating slower progress.

The disparity is also evident when examining gender and regional differences.

In rural areas, the Infant Mortality Rate is 43, compared to 28 in urban regions. Female infants in rural Madhya Pradesh face a mortality rate of 44, while males have a rate of 42, highlighting a persistent gender gap.

The maternal health situation is equally alarming in Madhya Pradesh.

Nearly 60% of maternal deaths occur in government medical colleges, all situated in urban areas, with an additional 20% in district hospitals.

This trend suggests that even in better-equipped urban centers, systemic inefficiencies and poor fund utilization are undermining maternal care.

The slow reduction in neonatal and under-five mortality rates in Madhya Pradesh further emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions, improved institutional delivery systems, and enhanced community health outreach.