- A UN report in May 2023 highlighted that India accounted for over 17% of global maternal deaths in 2020, the highest share among the 10 countries responsible for 60% of global maternal deaths, stillbirths, and newborn deaths.
- The report emphasized the critical need to focus on maternal healthcare to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes and ensuring access to quality healthcare services (UNDP 2017).
- ‘Timely Access to Public Health Facilities for Pregnancy Care in Tribal Gujarat: A Geospatial Analysis’, study focuses on Gujarat’s tribal population, constituting 14.8% of the total population across 14 districts.
- Using GIS data, National Family Health Survey data, and geocoded health facilities, the study analysed accessibility to healthcare centres using car, motorcycle, and walking modes of transportation.
- The paper reveals that average pregnancy care coverage in Gujarat’s tribal districts is 88%. About 80% of women receive antenatal care (ANC), 90% give birth at healthcare facilities, and 92% receive postnatal care (PNC).
- The study on Gujarat’s tribal districts highlights broader national issues of healthcare inaccessibility for disadvantaged communities due to geographical constraints, contributing significantly to our understanding of maternal health.
Dig Deeper: Read about government initiatives to improve maternal and infant health.
