Access to Maternal and Child Healthcare in India: Mapping of Regional and Social Variation

This study critically assesses the access to maternal and child health (MCH) care in India, highlighting the stark regional and social disparities that undermine the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to maternal and child welfare. Leveraging data from the National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS 5), our analysis probes into essential MCH indicators such as antenatal check-ups, institutional deliveries, underweight children, complete immunization coverage, and infant mortality rate (IMR) across all states and union territories. The findings reveal significant variance in MCH outcomes, predominantly influenced by socioeconomic and demographic factors, underlining a distinct gap in healthcare access between rural and urban populations as well as among different social strata. The study identifies critical pathways through which disparities emerge, offering evidence-based insights for targeted interventions aimed at reducing inequalities in MCH access. Our analysis not only sheds light on the multidimensional effects of economic and social inequality on maternal and child health but also proposes actionable policy implications to bridge the existing healthcare gap, thereby contributing to the realization of SDG targets in India.