“Antenatal care is essential for protecting the health of women and their unborn children.... Through antenatal care, pregnant women can also access micronutrient supplementation, treatment for hypertension to prevent eclampsia, as well as immunisation against tetanus. Antenatal care can also provide HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) testing and medications to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV,” according to an April 2021 note from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Households here also have lower electricity connections rate (90.3 per cent) compared to state (96.3 per cent) and national (96.5 per cent) figures. Improved drinking water sources are available only to 80.1 per cent of households here, and toilet facilities only to 68 per cent. Both these numbers are lower than for Odisha and for India overall (see chart 2).
One subscription. Two world-class reads.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Quarterly Starter
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online
Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app