Telangana’s MMR fell further to 43 during 2018-20, making the state one of the few states in India to achieve the SDGs
Post Date – Friday, July 23 – 12:45pm
By Sujit Kumar Mishra, Anudeep Gujjeti, Mohammad Sajid
The fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) (2019-21) showed a significant improvement in the sex ratio in Telangana to 1,049 (1,070 in rural and 1,015 in urban). The fourth round was 1,007 (1,035 rural and 977 urban). The sex ratio was higher in rural areas in both periods of the NFHS. It is also worth pointing out that except for Hyderabad, Adilabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri and Vikarabad, all regions have a sex ratio above 1,000. According to the latest round of NFHS-5, the lowest sex ratio is in Hyderabad, the most urbanized district of Telangana.
The sex ratio is defined as the ratio of females to males in the total population, or the ratio of females to 1,000 males in a given population group.
social progress
Improvements over these two periods (2015-16 to 2019-21) are a sign of social progress. However, while the overall population sex ratio is good, the state’s child sex ratio is not healthy (894 for NFHS-5 and 872 for NFHS-4). For rural areas, the figure was 907 (864 in NFHS-4), but in urban spaces the figure dropped from 880 in NFHS-4 to 873 in NFHS-5. Observing the sex ratio of children through socioeconomic indicators can provide a more detailed understanding of the country’s situation. In NFHS-5, the sex ratio of children in other backward classes was 906, while that of SC communities was only 887 and that of SC was even lower at 847.
Analysis on religion shows that the Hindu community has lagged behind at 874 over the past five years, compared with 980 for the Christian community and 989 for the Muslim community.
Data across regions also show large variations. Mahabubnagar (789), Adilabad (785), Vikarabad (775), Nagarkurnool (771) and Warangal Rural (698) are the five regions with the lowest child sex ratio in the state. This raises a related question: why do countries vary widely across regions and socioeconomic categories?
plan impact
The combination of programs like KCR Kits, Amma Vodi and Kalyana Lakshmi/Shaadi Mubarak has directly and indirectly impacted the overall sex ratio in addition to improving the health status of women in the state. These programs were launched in recognition of the fact that the well-being of society lies in the well-being of mothers and children. KCR Kits launched in June 2017. Under the scheme, women will receive Rs 12,000 after delivery as compensation for lost wages during pregnancy and an additional Rs 1,000 in case of girls. The program has been successful since its inception.
According to the Telangana Socio-Economic Outlook 2023, beneficiaries of the KCR suite will increase from 460,000 in 2017-18 to 610,000 in 2021-22. Deliveries to public institutions increased from 230,000 to 290,000 during the same period. In 2021-22, approximately 230,000 KCR kits will be distributed statewide.
The proportion of facility deliveries also has a positive impact on neonatal mortality (NNMR). In NFHS-4, the facility delivery rate was 91.5%, which rose to 97% in NFHS-5. According to the Telangana Socio-Economic Outlook 2023, the delivery rate in government hospitals will increase from 30.5% in 2015-16 to 61% in 2022. Needless to say, the Telangana state government is working to increase this number significantly. Meanwhile, NNMR fell from 21.9 during NFHS-4 to 16.8 during NFHS-5.
Another program positively impacting health outcomes is Amma Vodi, a dedicated ambulance service launched in 2018. The scheme provides free transport facilities for pregnant women to go to the hospital for regular check-ups before and after childbirth. Aarogya Lakshmi provides supplementary nutrition for pregnant and lactating women. These are directly beneficial to the healthy growth of babies, thereby reducing NNMR and indirectly increasing the sex ratio of children.
Another flagship government program impacting children’s health is Kalyana Lakshmi/Shaadi Mubarak. Although the program’s aim was to reduce child marriage and the economic burden associated with marriage, the program indirectly helped improve the nation’s health, particularly as it relates to women’s and children’s health. It is only available to girls from the age of 18, which means that the average age of conception for women also increases, which has a positive impact on the health of women and children, thereby reducing maternal mortality and NNMR. According to the Socio-Economic Outlook 2023 of Telangana, as of January 2023, 590,000 BC, 240,000 SC, 150,000 ST and 240,000 ethnic minority households have benefited from the scheme. The total amount paid is Rs 105,587.9 crore.
All of these programs were launched within the last 5 to 6 years and will take time to reflect national statistics. However, there is still room for improvement. These programs have had a positive impact on Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in Telangana. The Maternal Mortality Rate fell from 81 in 2014-16 to 63 in 2016-18, which is on track for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as reported in the Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality in India, Sample Registration System , which requires an MMR of less than 70 per 1,00,000 live births.
create awareness
Telangana’s MMR fell further to 43 during 2018-20, making the state one of the few states in India to achieve the SDGs. The focus must now turn to child sex ratios. While the programs described above are being successfully implemented, changes in the state’s child sex ratio across several categories leave room for nuanced and targeted implementation.
For example, raising awareness about the benefits of facility births beyond diet and hygiene. Most importantly, awareness must be raised about the benefits of having girls by disseminating information about policies and programs that help girls educate and empower them.
From the perspective of education level, the impact of 12 years of education and above on solving children’s sex ratio is obvious. According to NFHS-5, the sex ratio for children among women with no education is 881, compared to 908 among women with 12 or more years of full education. Facts have proved that years of education also have a positive impact on children’s sex ratio. Therefore, there is a need for policies and interventions that support girls’ access to higher education, opportunities and investment. This can be achieved by identifying the worst performing categories and enforcing them intensively.
