Despite the rapid economic growth in India, maternal death figures continue to be high. The World Health Organization estimates in 2005 for maternal mortality in India came up with a Maternal Mortality Ratio(MMR) of 570 deaths every ١٠٠٬٠٠٠ live births, which was brought down in the Registrar General's SRS report (2004-06) to 254. Yet at almost 60-70 thousand deaths each year, and possibly around 20 to 30 times that figure suffering ill-health and near-misses, maternal health remains a huge challenge for the country.

This policy briefing outlines how current health policies and programmes in India can be strengthened to improve maternal health outcomes.