One woman dies every 5 min during delivery in India: report

UN Special Rapporteur on Health Anand Grover said that in most cases,such deaths “are avoidable” and called for empowerment of women at the grassroot level.

“Maternal mortality rate in India has become unacceptable,which in most cases are avoidable. We,instead of empowering the civil society,must work for empowerment of women at the grassroot level,” he said.

Legal Advisor of Centre for Reproductive Rights,New York,Melisa Upreti said “it is a matter of shame for the government of India which has failed to provide basic nutrition and health care for women. In South Asia region,India,Pakistan and Bangladesh have refused to endorse the UN Resolution on Maternal Mortality,” she said.

Zameen Kaur of Human Rights Law Network claimed that out of the total maternal deaths,25 per cent are from the Dalit community in the country.

MP Sandeep Dikshit favoured closer interaction between NGOs and the government for a targeted approach to check the malaise.