MDG-5 (Reduction in MMR) not Achievable

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According to a study Maternal Mortality for 181 Countries, 1980-2008, funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and conducted by Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, 5,26,300 world maternity deaths in 1980 dropped to 3,42,900 in 2008. According to the Report, only 23 countries are on target to reduce the MMR by 75% between 1990 and 2015.
India has reported an annual decline of 4% in MMR since 1990, double the world average. India reported 677 maternal deaths in 1980 but in 2008 it was down to 254. Yet 21 countries, including India, account for 80% of all maternal deaths (death of women during pregnancy, child birth or within 42 days of child birth per 1,00,000 live births).
In India, celebrating the five years of NRHM (National Rural Health Mission) on April 11, Rajasthan was adjudged the best performing state among the high focus areas and Tamil Nadu among non-focus areas. However, doubts persist about India's achievement as the statistics are based on sample surveys and the actual figure may be at least 10% higher.

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