Meghalaya sees rise in institutional deliveries and falling fertility rates

Meghalaya is experiencing significant demographic and healthcare shifts, according to recent Health Management Information System (HMIS) and National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data. The state’s institutional delivery rate has risen to 81 per cent, up from 65.6 per cent in NFHS-6 and 58.1 per cent in NFHS-5. Health and Family Welfare Minister Wailadmiki Shylla stated the government aims to reach at least 95 per cent within three years to exceed the national average of 90 per cent.

Concurrently, the state’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined from 2.9 to 2.2 between NFHS-5 and NFHS-6. This decline is driven by increased contraceptive use, which rose from 27.4 per cent to 42.1 per cent among married women, and a reduction in teenage pregnancies. Improved access to education and the internet has also contributed to these shifts.

Despite these improvements, challenges remain. The minister noted difficulties in ensuring institutional deliveries due to rugged terrain, long distances, and shortages of specialist doctors. While maternal deaths have fallen by over 56 per cent and infant deaths by over 40 per cent since 2020-21, certain Primary Health Centres continue to operate without Medical Officers.