From Challenge to Change: Reducing the Maternal and Child Mortality Rate in India in Line with SDG3 Targets through Evidence Based Intervention

Abstract

In the heart of Madhya Pradesh lies Shahdol, a paradigm of the challenges faced by the rural healthcare system. For decades, the region has struggled with a high rate of maternal and child mortality, exceeding national averages due to systemic healthcare challenges, socio-cultural barriers and operational insufficiencies. Addressing these issues is critical in reducing mortality, an important indicator for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3, which emphasizes good health and well-being.

To these challenges, the India Health Action Trust (IHAT) initiated Project MANCH (Maternal and Child Health), an intervention in collaboration with the HCLFoundation, the University of Manitoba and the National Health Mission, Madhya Pradesh. This case study explores the transformative impact of a community-driven solution in Shahdol, a district predominantly inhabited by tribal communities.

This study analyzes the challenges, interventions, and outcomes by highlighting the critical lessons for scaling similar initiatives in other resource-constrained settings.