Question

What percentage of live births without medical attention of qualified professionals received by mothers is reported in Kerala?

• A. 7.8%
• B. 0.1%
• C. 19%
• D. 48.7%

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 0.1%

Kerala's Exceptional Healthcare Achievements

• The reported figure of 0.1% for live births without medical attention from qualified professionals in Kerala highlights the state's remarkable success in achieving near-universal access to skilled birth attendance.
• This percentage is significantly lower than the national average in India, where a higher proportion of births still occur at home without medical supervision.
• A key factor contributing to this achievement is Kerala's robust public healthcare infrastructure, which includes a wide network of Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and district hospitals, ensuring accessibility even in rural areas.
• The state has consistently focused on strengthening its primary healthcare system, making maternal and child health a priority.
• High Female Literacy: Kerala boasts one of the highest female literacy rates in India. Educated mothers are more likely to seek institutional deliveries and utilize available healthcare services, understanding their importance for maternal and child well-being.
• Women Empowerment: Enhanced status and decision-making power of women in Kerala also contribute to better health-seeking behaviors and adherence to medical advice.
• Public Health Campaigns: Consistent public awareness campaigns and health education initiatives have encouraged institutional deliveries and discouraged home births without medical supervision.
• This high rate of medically attended births directly contributes to Kerala's extremely low Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), which are comparable to those in many developed countries.
• For competitive exams, remember that Kerala's MMR is often cited as being below the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 70 per 100,000 live births, typically in single digits (e.g., NFHS-5 reported 19 per 100,000 live births, which is still the lowest in India).
• Similarly, Kerala's IMR is significantly lower than the national average (NFHS-5: 6 per 1000 live births, compared to the national average of 28).
• This achievement is a cornerstone of the 'Kerala Model of Development', which prioritizes social development indicators like health and education through public investment, even with modest economic growth.
• Such data points are often sourced from national surveys like the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), which are crucial for assessing health outcomes across Indian states.