Important gains as well as significant shortcomings have been realized in health over the past three decades in South Asia. Sophisticated health centers and institutions have been built and health facilities and services have expanded into the remotest areas of the region. Diseases such as smallpox and guinea worm have been eradicated. In India, life expectancy has advanced to 61 years and child mortality has declined to 87 males and 95 females per 1,000 live births (Pandey et al. 1998, WHO 2002). The health sector, especially maternal and child health, has attracted the a…