Health goals of 11th five-year plan unmet. 12th plan hopes to achieve them

[highlights] As the country is yet to reach the targets set under the 11th Plan, the group recommends that targets could be repeated. For example, the target of maternal mortality rate (MMR)

will continue to be (less than) <100 per 100,000 live births. Analysis by the group showed that MMR is likely to decrease to just 156 per 100,000 live births by year 2012. Maternal

mortality rates in India are the highest in the world. Kerala and Tamil Nadu have already achieved the MMR goal. But other states are lagging far behind. In Assam, despite a 22 points

decline in MMR per year, the 2012 figure is likely to be a high 220 per 100,000 live births. The state has the worst maternal mortality figures in the country. MMR in the state declined at

only 3 per 100,000 in the first three years of the current Five-Year Plan. Thereafter it recorded a steep decline of 30 points per year, but the state still has a high MMR of 390/100,000

live births. Poor states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan have higher MMR. These states also have a higher fertility rate than Assam and this puts mothers more at risk. Even states

like Karnataka, which boasts of good health facilities, have failed to meet the 11th Plan target. The state lags significantly with an MMR of 178 per 100,000 live births. With the current

rate of decline, it is likely to reach  reach the rate of about 130 per 100,000 live births in 2012. Considering the variability between states, the working group has recommended that for

indicators such as maternal mortality and infant mortality, state specific targets will be set. For example in case of IMR, target would be a reduction by 40 per cent and for MMR, reduction

by 55 per cent over the period of 12th Plan.