Home > Journals > Indian Journal of Communicable Diseases

Indian Journal of Communicable Diseases

Submit your article Read this Journals View all journals
Full Text (PDF)
Review Article

Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination: Another Feather in the Cap for India

Bratati Banerjee , Bratati Banerjee , Rupsa Banerjee

Author Information

Licence:



Indian Journal of Communicable Diseases 1(2):p 81-84, Jul-Dec 2015. | DOI:

How Cite This Article:

Timeline

Received : N/A         Accepted : N/A          Published : N/A

Abstract

Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) has been a grave problem all over the world, including India, for centuries. To combat this problem Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE)  initiative was launched by UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA, in 1999. MNT is defined as less than one NT case per 1000 live births in every district. Maternal tetanus is assumed to be eliminated once NT elimination is achieved. To achieve the goal Government of India applied a mix of strategies which included universalising vaccination of pregnant women attending antenatal care with Tetanus Toxoid; promoting institutional delivery by providing cash incentives; capacity building by training more skilled birth attendants and strengthening the health care delivery systems; and intensive behaviour  change  communication to reduce harmful cord care practices. The goal of MNTE was targeted to be achieved by 2009, which was further extended to 2015. The first MNTE validation was done by WHO in 2003/2004. The last validation survey was conducted in April 2015 which confirmed that maternal and neonatal tetanus is reduced to less than one case per 1000 live births in all 675 districts of the country. Finally on 15th May 2015, WHO declared India free of maternal and neonatal tetanus. However, intensive efforts should be implemented to maintain the status of elimination so that the significant public health milestone that India has achieved is sustained.

Keywords: Maternal; Neonatal; Tetanus; Elimination. 

References

No records found.


About this article

Cite this article

Licence:



Received Accepted Published
N/A N/A N/A
DOI:

Keywords


Article Level Metrics

Last Updated

Wednesday 17 June 2026, 16:06:20 (IST)

557

Accesses

4
217
00

Citations


NA
NA
NA

Download citation


Article Keywords

Keyword Highlighting

Highlight selected keywords in the article text.


Timeline

Received N/A
Accepted N/A
Published N/A

licence




Access this article

Reprint Order Form
Buy this Article
Institutional Subscriptions

Share