A Demand Side Intervention for Promoting Safe Delivery in India: Safe Motherhood Intervention Scheme Targeting MDG Goal 5

Abstract

Utilization of institutional delivery has an important implication for maternal and child health in India in terms of both morbidity and mortality. The utilization rates for institutional delivery are very low in large north Indian States. Reasons for such low institutionalized delivery care are mainly the low utilization rates of Ante Natal Care services. Safe motherhood intervention Scheme or the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) scheme, a conditional transfer of money to expecting mother opting for institutional delivery has shown positive results in improving institutional deliveries in these states. Recent decline in MMR is indicative that India may achieve MDG 5 target by the deadline.