India has achieved rapid progress in improving maternal and newborn health—beyond what would be expected based on economic development alone.
Quantitative evidence shows that in recent decades, improved coverage of key maternal and newborn health indicators underlies this progress, with quality of care also improving, especially in the last decade. Through a series of quantitative analyses, these indicators can be linked to mortality reductions. Qualitative findings support these results, as an in-depth policy review and interviews with key informants highlighted the impact of specific policy and program levers that helped to improve access to and quality of care throughout India.
India employed innovative strategies to reach disadvantaged populations over the years, specifically poor and rural communities, through a series of programs to mitigate physical and financial barriers to care. These seminal national policies, as well as additional targeted and localized efforts, were informed by data-driven decision making, fueled by flexible financing, and implemented by leadership that prioritized maternal and newborn health over the long term.
While continued efforts are needed to further reduce India’s neonatal and maternal mortality rates—especially through continued targeting of disadvantaged populations—the country’s remarkable progress in recent decades makes it a strong exemplar in neonatal and maternal mortality reduction.
Learnings from India’s rapid mortality reduction may be valuable for other countries with comparable contexts looking to learn from settings that have experienced success in improving maternal and newborn health.