Maternal Healthcare Scenario in India: Evaluating Implications of the National Health Policy

The significance of maternal health in India is undeniable in that it profoundly affects the well-being of both mothers and children. This chapter seeks to examine the present state of maternal healthcare in India and analyse the effects of the National Health Policy on maternal well-being. The research in this chapter combines a comprehensive review of existing literature, National Family and Health Survey (NFHS) data for analysis, and a policy evaluation to provide a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the maternal health landscape. This chapter includes indicators such as antenatal care (ANC) coverage, institutional delivery rates, skilled providers, and postnatal health checkups to gauge the overall status of maternal health in India and track maternal mortality rates (MMRs) to meet the target of the National Health Policy on maternal health. The study reveals that ANC coverage increased by 30.6% from NFHS-1 (1992–1993) to NFHS-5 (2019–2021). Institutional delivery and delivery by skilled providers have contributed to this increase (62.6% and 55.4%, respectively) over the study period (NFHS-1 to NFHS-5). The postnatal care taken within 2 days of delivery rose by 44.4% from NFHS-3 (2005–2006) to NFHS-5 (2019–2021). The chapter results shows that India has engaged in significant development in maternal healthcare services over time and achieved an MMR below 100 per 100,000 live births—one of the goals of the National Health Policy (2017). Furthermore, the research explores the socioeconomic and cultural factors influencing maternal health in India, acknowledging the diverse and complex nature of the country.