She further informed that as per the report, more than one third of all maternal deaths in the country are reported from Uttar Pradesh and Uttranchal. Limited access to reproductive health care, inadequate nutrition and lack of birth spacing have been cited as reasons that make the state one of the riskiest places for women to have a baby.

However, she expressed hope that following the launch of different health projects in the state, the situation might improve for women and children.

The report also points out that in UP, women typically give birth at home wihout the assistance of a nurse, doctor or midwife. Just 25 per cent of all deliveries in the state were found to have been aided by a skilled birth attendant

The report also ranks UP among the states with top five neonatal mortality rates i.e. measuring deaths within the first 28 days of life. UP is third with 46 children dying per 1000 live births after Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.