Review of the Safe Motherhood Programme in India in the context of Reproductive Health: Achievements, Issues and Challenges

Following the Safe Motherhood Conference in Nairobi in 1987, there has been a renewed focus on the problem of maternal morality and safe motherhood. Global advocacy led to the starting of new initiatives on safe motherhood in many countries. India launched a major programme in 1992 called the Child Survival and Safe Motherhool (CSSM) programme with assistance from World Bank, UNICEF and other donors. The child survival component of the programme was a continuation and expansion of previous child survival activities such as immunisation, ARI and diarrhoea management. While the design of the Safe Motherhood programme based on major new understanding of preventing maternal mortality through Emergency Obstetric Care (EOC) which was a major departure from the old MCH and high risk approach of the 1970s. This paper reviews the developments in the are of maternal health in India that took place in India soon after CSSM programme. It assesses the inputs, processes, outcomes and possible impact of the safe motherhood part of the CSSKM. It also discusses the various issues and problems that the programme faces. This paper critically assesses the plans made for safe motherhood under the RCH project and put forth recommendations for improving the activities being planned for Safe Motherhood in future.