Current Context : Puducherry has become the first Union Territory in India to achieve zero maternal mortality, a significant milestone in public health.

About Maternal Mortality

• Definition: Death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, from causes related to pregnancy or its management.
• Indicator: Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) = Number of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births.
• India’s MMR: 93 per 1,00,000 live births.

Global/SDG Target

• Target: Reduce MMR to 70 per 1,00,000 live births by 2030.

States already meeting SDG target: Kerala, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Karnataka.