Bhubaneswar: Odisha registered significant improvement in maternal mortality ratio (MMR) with steep decline by 42 point against the national average.

According to new data released by the Office of the Registrar General, India under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the reduction of mortality of women in India was 130 (per 100,000 live births) in 2014-16, while the MMR in Odisha dropped to 180 during the period.

In the national average the MMR reduced by 37 point, whereas the point in Odisha was 42.

The data showed that Odisha that is categorized under "Empowered Action Group" (EAG) states comprising Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Assam improved a lot in reducing the MMR during 2014-16. Among 'EAG' and 'Southern' states Kerala leads the table with MMR of 46.

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The point is likely to be reduced further with the proper execution of healthcare schemes launched to achieve success to drop MMR and Infant mortality rate (IMR) in Odisha.

Sources in the health department said that the state government has launched several programmes to reduce MMR and IMR across Odisha. With an aim to decline the MMR and IMR, the expectant mothers are being provided all types of aids under centrally sponsored scheme Janani Suraksha Yojana for safe delivery.