Unicef India representative Yasmin Ali Haque yesterday praised the country's "impressive" progress in reducing maternal deaths. India has registered a significant decline in Maternal Mortality Ratio, recording a 22-per cent reduction in such deaths since 2013, according to a Sample Registration System bulletin released earlier this week. The MMR - number of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births - has declined from 167 in 2011-2013 to 130 in 2014-2016.

"India has shown impressive progress in reducing maternal deaths, with nearly 1,000 fewer women now dying of pregnancy related complications each month in India as compared to 2013," Haque said.