Guwahati: Assam has recorded the highest maternal death in India for the tenth successive year, portraying the dismal condition of healthcare system in the northeastern state.
The findings are part of the National Family Health Survey-4 released recently.
According to the Sample Registration System during 2011-1013, the Maternal Mortality Rates (MMR) of Assam is 300 for every 100,000 live births, way above the national average of 167.
In the same survey, Assam has recorded a high domestic abuse rate, with 25 percent of married women reporting domestic violence. The figure though is lower than the average national rate, which stands at 50 percent.
The fourth national family survey conducted field work in Assam from November 6, 2015 to March 31, 2016 through Nielsen (India) Private Limited and gathered information from 24,542 households – 28,447 women, and 3,860 men.
Its findings show that 32.6 percent of Assam women, between 20-24 years, were married before the age of 18, which could be an indication of the high number of maternal deaths. The survey also found that Assam also has a high anemic rate. According to the report, 46 percent girls and women between age 15 and 49 are anemic, reports northeasttoday.in.
Analysing the reports, Centre for Catalysing Change executive director Dr Aparajita Gogoi said that the Janani Suraksha Yojana has led to more than 70 percent institutional deliveries.
The health expert, however, said that gender differentiation and female feticide could be the causes but there are also a number of medical reasons for the high mortality rate.
The high MMR in certain pockets, like the tea belts and char areas in Assam, is another aspect of the problem, Gogoi said. The tea communities in Assam are socially isolated and often have high rates of malnutrition, worm infestation and alcohol consumption and low rates of education. She also said that it needs to be researched as to why Assamese girls and women are anemic given the protein rich diet the people in the State eat.