Odisha CM orders overhaul to reduce maternal and infant mortality

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered an urgent, mission-mode overhaul of the state’s healthcare and social sectors to address rising maternal and infant mortality rates. During a high-level meeting under the PRAYASS initiative, Majhi reviewed data showing a maternal mortality ratio of 153 per lakh live births and an infant mortality rate of 30 per 1,000 live births.

The Chief Minister directed the Health and Family Welfare Department to implement targeted campaigns to reduce maternal, infant, and neonatal deaths, with a specific emphasis on improving medical access for pregnant women and newborns in remote and rural areas. He also called for increased accountability among healthcare workers and upgrades to hospital emergency services.

To combat childhood malnutrition, including stunting and wasting, Majhi instructed officials to strengthen the ‘Suposhita Odisha’ campaign. This includes implementing stricter quality surveillance on food and nutritional supplements distributed through Anganwadi centers. The directive also extends to improving the quality of school education and ensuring better coordination across the Women and Child Development and School and Mass Education departments.