Maternal and Reproductive Health in Ladakh, India: A Comprehensive Review of Current Status, Challenges, and Future Directions

Abstract

Maternal and reproductive health is a key component of public health and an important indicator of healthcare system performance. Women living in highaltitude and geographically remote regions such as Ladakh face unique challenges in accessing quality maternal and reproductive healthcare due to difficult terrain, harsh climatic conditions, and limited healthcare infrastructure. This study examines the status of reproductive and maternal health in the Union Territory of Ladakh using secondary data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21) and NFHS-6 (2023–24). A descriptive and comparative analysis was conducted to assess key indicators, including fertility, family planning, antenatal care, institutional delivery, postnatal care, and women's nutritional status. The findings indicate that Ladakh has made notable progress in maternal healthcare, with high coverage of antenatal care and institutional deliveries. However, challenges such as maternal anaemia, nutritional deficiencies, geographical isolation, and limited access to specialized healthcare services continue to affect maternal and reproductive health outcomes, particularly in remote communities. The study highlights the need to strengthen primary healthcare services, improve maternal nutrition, expand telemedicine and outreach programmes, and enhance emergency obstetric care. These findings provide valuable evidence for policymakers and healthcare providers to design targeted interventions aimed at improving reproductive and maternal health in Ladakh and other high-altitude regions