New study confirms a 46% fall in maternal deaths and steady decline in infant mortality, crediting digital tracking, and stronger community health systems
Guwahati, Nov 29: A new peer-reviewed research study has delivered the strongest evidence yet that Meghalaya’s flagship MOTHER Project is transforming maternal and child health in the state — with maternal deaths nearly halved, institutional deliveries rising sharply, and antenatal care reaching unprecedented levels.
The study, published in the International Journal of Scientific Research and Technology, analysed six key health indicators using state government data from 2019 to 2024 and frontline worker interviews across multiple districts. The study was done by Sayandip Gangopadhyay, PhD Scholar, KIIT School of Public Health, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha and Sudipta Das, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health, NSHM Business School, Durgapur, West Bengal.
The Government of Meghalaya launched the MOTHER Project in 2019, a holistic policy initiative aligned with the National Health Policy, 2017, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project integrates three dimensions of healthcare—
preventive, curative, and enabling—through innovations such as the MOTHER App (real-time pregnancy tracking), the Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood Scheme (CM-SMS) (transportation incentives), and Village Health Councils (VHCs)
(community-led governance).
According to the study, Meghalaya’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) dropped from 318 in 2021 to 172 in 2024, a dramatic 45.9% decline. Even compared to the pre-policy baseline of 197, the state shows clear progress.
Researchers attribute the improvement to the MOTHER App, which tracks pregnancies in real time, the Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood Scheme (CM-SMS), providing transport and transit homes, and Better digital monitoring and accountability.
Infant Mortality Also Declines Steadily
Meghalaya’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) fell from 29.9 in 2021 to 24.4 in 2024, an 18.7% reduction. The study credits improved neonatal care and high immunisation coverage.
One of the strongest gains is in hospital deliveries, as it improved from 57.7% in 2021 to 74.1% in 2024. This 16.4 percentage-point jump marks a major shift in a state long known for high home-birth rates. Home deliveries fell by 35.6%.
However, 25.9% of births are still happening at home, mostly due to trust in traditional birth attendants (TBAs), Terrain and mobility challenges, Cultural preferences for privacy and Mothers needing to return quickly to childcare duties.
The study shows Antenatal Care (ANC) compliance — mothers completing at least four check-ups — rose from 72.7% in 2021 to 93.2% in 202. This is one of the highest in India.
Full immunisation improved from 61.4% (baseline) to 85.7% in 2024. Frontline workers reported no major issues with immunisation — a sign of strong system performance.
First-trimester pregnancy registration rose from 32.1% (baseline) to 56.9% in 2024. Despite improvement, nearly half of pregnancies are still registered late. Interviews reveal the causes as high fertility and closely spaced pregnancies, unplanned pregnancies, household workload and cultural hesitation in declaring early pregnancy.
The researchers conclude that Meghalaya has made significant progress since 2019 — improvements strong enough to push the state closer to national averages after decades of lagging behind.
But major challenges continue due to trust in traditional birth attendants, difficult terrain and poor last-mile mobility, High workload among frontline workers, High fertility and rapid repeat pregnancies and Uneven quality across health centres.
The researchers have called for scaling up Internal Performance Agreements (IPA) coverage, stronger community engagement, support services for mothers with multiple young children and better integration of health data systems
The paper positions the MOTHER Project as one of the most effective health interventions introduced in Meghalaya in the last decade, delivering measurable outcomes within a short span.
If sustained, these gains could push the state much closer to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.1 and 3.2) well before 2030.
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