The Odisha Exemplar Report highlights the state’s substantial progress in reducing maternal and newborn mortality between 2000 and 2018, surpassing most other high-mortality states in India. These findings are part of the Exemplars in Maternal and Newborn Health Study, which aims to understand positive outliers and inform policy and practice. 

Key Findings: 

• Significant improvements in antenatal care coverage and quality, institutional deliveries, and C-sections, with the greatest gains during the NRHM/NHM period. 
• A strong public sector role, accounting for nearly 90% of deliveries, and marked reductions in neonatal mortality in both public and private hospitals. 
• Investments in rural health infrastructure, including new sub-centres in underserved areas and upgrades of CHCs into First Referral Units with improved facilities and staffing. 
• Introduction of maternity waiting homes, travel support, and additional outreach for hard-to-reach populations. 
• Expansion of newborn care through NICUs, SNCUs, and Newborn Care Corners, alongside increased access to tertiary care and promotion of kangaroo mother care and home-based newborn care by ASHAs. 
• Comprehensive health worker training, including SBA training, LSAS, EmONC, and newborn care training. 
• Establishment of the Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL) to improve procurement speed and transparency. 

This report presents the Odisha sub-study and provides background information on the broader India study.