The Centre has asked the States to concentrate on 264 backward districrs which are lagging behind in health parameters.

Addressing the national level Safe Motherhood Day function at Jaipur, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Sudip Bandopadhyay said that extra impetus should be given to accelerate the pace of decline in maternal and child mortality rates in the country. He said that maternal health is important to communities, families and the nation.

The Minister said that the lives of women and children and their healthy future is the single most key to achieve the millenium development goals. Our Correspondent has filed this report: