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Swachh Bharat Mission and its Impact on Infant and Maternal Mortality Rates
Launched by the Indian government in the year 2014, Swachh Bharat Mission has been a turn towards the betterment pertaining to sanitation and hygiene throughout the country. This mission ensured evidence of its impact on a major reduction in IMR and MMR.

Increased Construction of Toilets
Since then, more than 117 million toilets have been built across India. This massive infrastructure creation has been complemented with over ₹1.4 lakh crore of public investment. The ultimate goal has been open defecation-free situations, as touching open defecation has been one of the major public health problems in India.

Infant Mortality Rate Reduction
Construction of toilets under SBM has brought direct and positive impacts on reducing the IMR. It has been estimated that with every 10-percentage point increase in district-level access to toilets, corresponding IMR reduces by 0.9 points. Thus, improved sanitation facilities have contributed a lot to saving the lives of infants. In absolute numbers, SBM has helped avert around 60,000 to 70,000 annual infant deaths.

Reduced Maternal Mortality Ratio
Improved sanitation also has a great part to play in maternal health. Proper and hygienic toilets reduce the chances of infection and complications during pregnancy and childbirth. SBM has not only provided toilets but also promoted behavioral change toward better hygiene practices. This holistic approach has been one reason for the decline of MMR, as mothers are exposed more rarely to unsanitary conditions resulting in lethal infections.

Broader Health Benefits
The benefits of SBM extend beyond the two variables of IMR and MMR. The intervention has brought in maternal education, healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth in a medical facility, health insurance, and access to clean cooking fuel . All these factors together create better health outcomes for both mothers and children.

Conclusion
The Swachh Bharat Mission has been game-changing for public health. Creating a great number of facilities and encouraging improved hygiene practices, the mission has played a stellar role in reducing neo-natal and maternal mortalities. The success underlined the role of SBM in sanitation improvements for better health outcomes while underlining the importance of continuous investments in such initiatives.