Assam’s health revolution: Maternal deaths drop to one-fourth, infant mortality halved in 20 years

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 19, 2025

Assam has recorded a dramatic decline in maternal and infant mortality rates, ending its long-standing status as the worst-performing state in both indicators. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Thursday that the state’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has fallen to 125 per one lakh live births for the period 2020–22, down from 490 in 2001–03. This marks a 74 per cent reduction over two decades.

Speaking at a press conference in Guwahati, the Chief Minister said that Assam is no longer at the bottom in MMR rankings, now performing better than Madhya Pradesh (159), Chhattisgarh (141), Uttar Pradesh (141), and Odisha (136). He highlighted that until the last Sample Registration System (SRS) report for 2018–20, Assam had the highest MMR in the country at 195.

According to the latest SRS data, MMR in Assam declined to 167 in 2019–21, and further dropped to 125 in 2020–22. Sarma noted that the state has achieved a 70-point reduction, or 36 per cent decline, in just two years—a record unmatched by any other state.

The Chief Minister also said that the improvement in infant health indicators has been equally noteworthy. Assam’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), which stood at 68 in 2005, has dropped to 32 in 2022. The state is now on par with Odisha and ahead of states like Uttar Pradesh (38), Chhattisgarh (38), and Madhya Pradesh (40).

Other related health indicators have also improved. The Under-5 Mortality Rate in Assam, which was as high as 88 per 1,000 live births in 2008, has declined to 35 as of 2022. The Neonatal Mortality Rate has dropped from 33 in 2005 to 22 in the latest reporting period.

Sarma credited this progress to a series of sustained policy measures, infrastructure development, and targeted health initiatives implemented over the past two decades, with a special push in the last ten years. He said the launch of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2006 played a major role in setting the momentum for maternal health improvements.

He also pointed to the expansion of health infrastructure and human resources in the state. The number of government medical colleges has increased to 13, excluding Pragjyotishpur Medical College, and all are functioning as Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) centres. Every district in the state now has at least one CEmONC centre capable of handling caesarean deliveries.

At present, Assam has 13 medical colleges and hospitals, 22 district hospitals, 17 sub-divisional hospitals, 221 community health centres, 1,017 primary health centres, and 4,875 sub-centres. Additionally, 4,962 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are operational across the state.

The Chief Minister stated that improved service delivery, incentivized ASHA workers, increased public awareness, and robust support programs have all contributed to the turnaround. He emphasized that the state will continue to focus on strengthening primary and emergency healthcare to sustain and further improve these outcomes.