Uttar Pradesh Takes Bold Steps to Eliminate Maternal Deaths
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a comprehensive accountability framework to radically reduce maternal deaths across the state. This structured system will clearly define goals, responsibilities, and actions while monitoring outcomes to ensure real improvement in healthcare delivery.
Fixing Responsibility for Maternal Deaths
Additional Chief Secretary Amit Kumar Ghosh of the health and family welfare department explained the framework's purpose. "We aim to fix responsibility whenever a maternal death occurs," he stated during a multi-stakeholder event organized by the State Transformation Commission with support from the Centre for Catalysing Change.
To develop this framework effectively, the state government brought onboard expert Dr. Himanshu Bhushan. The administration also introduced provisions for third-party audits of maternal deaths, creating an additional layer of oversight and transparency.
Urgent Need for Systemic Change
This initiative comes at a critical time. Uttar Pradesh currently faces a maternal mortality ratio of 141 deaths per 100,000 live births, translating to approximately 8,000 women losing their lives each year. The state has set an ambitious target to reduce this ratio to 70 by 2030.
Medical education research worldwide demonstrates that without proper tracking systems and clear responsibility assignment, efforts to reduce maternal deaths often become scattered and ineffective. Accountability mechanisms that link monitoring, community feedback, and corrective action can drive lasting system-level improvements.
Political Commitment to Zero Preventable Deaths
Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak made the government's position unequivocally clear during the inaugural event. "We are completely committed to bringing preventable maternal deaths down to zero," he declared. Pathak emphasized that finding solutions begins with honestly acknowledging the problem's true nature.
The deputy chief minister further assured participants that he would personally guide the department to arrange any additional financial resources required for this crucial initiative.
Learning from Other States
Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul, NITI Aayog member for health and nutrition, provided important context during his virtual address. "Eight Indian states have already surpassed Uttar Pradesh in maternal health outcomes," he noted. "These states achieved their Sustainable Development Goals using existing strategies, suggesting we need to analyze implementation gaps and plug leakages through proper accountability frameworks."
Whole-of-Government Approach
State Transformation Commission CEO Manoj Kumar Singh highlighted the broader vision behind these efforts. "For the first time, India and Uttar Pradesh have created perspective development plans through Viksit Bharat and Viksit UP initiatives," he explained. "Children born today will form our workforce in 2047, and Viksit UP cannot become reality without Swastha UP."
Additional Chief Secretary Leena Johari of the women and child development department emphasized measurement and collaboration. "What gets measured can be done," she stated, advocating for a "whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach" to achieve the desired transformation in maternal healthcare.
The Uttar Pradesh government's multi-pronged strategy combines expert guidance, third-party verification, political commitment, and cross-departmental coordination to tackle one of the state's most pressing public health challenges.
