High rates of maternal mortality in many parts of northern India persist owing to an inadequately equipped public health system compounded by disrespectful and negligent treatment of poor women. The Government of India has instituted several measures to enable women to access maternal care without costs barriers, and many health messages reach communities about pregnancy care and hospital births. But there is far less public education on health entitlements and service guarantees; consequently, the frontline providers take advantage of this to trick women into paying for free services such as treatment, medicines and transport… read more