The correct answer is (b), Maternal mortality rate.
The maternal mortality rate (MMR) is the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. It is a key indicator of the health of women and the quality of healthcare services in a country.
Odisha has made significant progress in reducing its MMR in recent years. In 2011, the MMR was 222 per 100,000 live births. By 2018, it had fallen to 103 per 100,000 live births. This is a decline of over 50%.
The decline in MMR is due to a number of factors, including:
- Improved access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas
- Increased awareness of maternal health issues
- Improved antenatal care
- Improved emergency obstetric care
The decline in MMR is a positive development for Odisha. It indicates that the state is making progress in improving the health of women and the quality of healthcare services.
The other options are also important indicators of development, but they have not shown as much improvement as the MMR in recent years.
- Infant mortality rate (IMR) is the number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births. The IMR in Odisha has declined from 80 per 1,000 live births in 2011 to 62 per 1,000 live births in 2018. This is a decline of 25%.
- Literacy rate is the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write. The literacy rate in Odisha has increased from 72.8% in 2011 to 77.2% in 2018. This is an increase of 6.4%.
- Per capita income is the average income of a person in a country. The per capita income in Odisha has increased from â¹60,000 in 2011 to â¹1,00,000 in 2018. This is an increase of 66.7%.
The decline in MMR is a more significant development than the other improvements, as it indicates that the state is making progress in improving the health of women and the quality of healthcare services.