Abdul Kalam urges efforts to bring down maternal mortality rate

Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam tonight urged the medical fraternity to take efforts to bring down the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), which was comparatively high in India.

"High MMR which is preventable represents violation of women's rights," Kalam, said during an interactive session held at Womens Centre here tonight.

While admitting it as a vital indicator of development of a country and an issue of human rights, Kalam termed high MMR as a disturbing factor as India stood at 142nd position out of 176 countries.

Stating that he wanted the rate to come down by 75% in the next ten years, Kalam also pointed out the steep increase in the number of women undergoing caesarian session for delivery.