1Medium20 marks
A high maternal mortality rate continues to be a major public health challenge before the country. Keeping that in context, answer the following questions:
(i) How is "Maternal Mortality Rate" (MMR) defined? State the major causes of maternal mortality in the country.
(ii) The recent data indicates a major decline in MMR in the country. Briefly state, with due reasons, the various governmental initiatives which have led to this favourable decline in maternal mortality rate in India.
(iii) The government has grouped the different states in the country in a specific manner to obtain a greater understanding of the ground situation and to map the changes following its initiatives. Briefly outline this strategy, and its benefits.