Srinagar, Jan 3: Jammu and Kashmir is emerging as a success story in maternal and child healthcare, with sustained reforms leading to remarkable improvements in key health indicators across the Union Territory.
The region now ranks among the better-performing areas in India, recording a Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 47 per 100,000 live births, far below the national average of 88. Officials credit this progress to enhanced institutional deliveries, wider access to Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC), improved blood services, and an upgraded referral transport system under the National Health Mission (NHM).
J&K has also shown impressive gains in child health outcomes. The Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) stands at 10, while the early NMR is 6—both significantly lower than the national averages of 19 and 13. The Under-5 Mortality Rate in J&K is 15, compared to the national figure of 29, and the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has dropped to 14, well below the national average of 25.
Immunization coverage in the Union Territory has reached a remarkable 96.5%, placing J&K among the top performers nationwide. This achievement results from strengthened routine immunization drives and robust monitoring systems.
In another health milestone, J&K is set to introduce the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) for girls aged 14–15 years, further bolstering preventive healthcare measures.
These consistent improvements highlight Jammu and Kashmir’s growing focus on accessible, quality healthcare and reinforce its position among India’s leading regions in maternal and child health outcomes.
