The country's maternal mortality ratio (MMRatio) exceeds that of China by a huge margin, which not only indicates the poor status of women in our society but also the miserable functioning of health system, among other things. However, there is some good news around the corner to cheer about. Recently released data by the Sample Registration System (SRS) bulletin indicates that for the country as a whole the MMRatio has...

-The Telegraph New Delhi: Poor diet and low education levels among women contribute to high levels of stunting among Indian children, nutrition researchers said on Friday after the first-ever district-level study of stunting nationwide. The study by the International Food Policy Research Institute has found that low body mass among women, low levels of education among women, and the diet of the children themselves are, in that order, the strongest factors influencing...

-Livemint.com The issue of frequent hikes in fuel prices is a matter of debate and concern, law and justice minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said after a Union cabinet meeting New Delhi: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government on Wednesday signalled its intent to stay the course on fuel pricing reforms and said that it was working toward a “long-term solution”. This comes against the backdrop of an international crude oil price rally, with...

-The Telegraph New Delhi: A study has ranked India 145 among 195 countries and lower than China, Bangladesh and Sudan on health care access and quality, measured through their capacities to prevent premature deaths from 32 diseases. The study by an international consortium of researchers has revealed India's gains over time but widening gap between best and worst scores within the country, a finding that public health experts say possibly reflects inequities...

-The Hindu Guidebook covers essential topics, from working with abused children to forms that NGOs need to fill Mumbai: A ready reckoner for people working with children who are victims of sexual abuse, trafficking and other crimes is out. The compendium, published by the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) in collaboration with non-governmental organisations International Justice Mission (IJM), Prerana and UNICEF, lists ways to sensitively handle ‘children in...