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Bengaluru, December 10, 2024 – Amid growing concerns and public outcry over a series of maternal deaths, the Karnataka government has released official statistics regarding maternal deaths in the state from 2019 to the present. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s office published the data on Monday, defending the state’s efforts to reduce the maternal mortality rate (MMR), claiming that the rates have decreased in recent years.
According to the official data, there were 662 maternal deaths in 2019-20, out of 8,94,946 live births, resulting in a Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) of 74. This figure dropped in the following years: 714 maternal deaths in 2020-21 (MMR of 84), 595 in 2021-22 (MMR of 68), 527 in 2022-23 (MMR of 65), and 518 in 2023-24 (MMR of 64). For the current year, 348 maternal deaths have been recorded up to November, maintaining an MMR of 64.
Despite these statistics, a series of recent maternal deaths, particularly in Ballari, has sparked significant public outrage. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, speaking in Belagavi on Monday, addressed the controversy, urging against politicizing the issue. He stated that maternal deaths are a tragic but inevitable part of healthcare and emphasized the need for a serious discussion in the legislative assembly. “We are ready to provide answers. These deaths cannot be attributed solely to medical negligence,” he said, adding that he would address concerns regarding potential influence from a “medical mafia.”
Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Laxmi Hebbalkar, also spoke on the issue, dismissing claims of a cover-up. “We are taking all necessary precautions to prevent maternal deaths and are identifying the causes behind these tragedies,” she said. Hebbalkar, responding to concerns over the high number of deaths in Belagavi, clarified that the numbers appeared high due to patients from surrounding areas, such as Karwar, coming to Belagavi for treatment.
Earlier in the day, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka accused the government of neglect, charging that 325 newborn deaths had occurred in Belagavi alone. Hebbalkar responded by explaining that newborn deaths are often caused by conditions such as iron deficiency, premature birth, and other complications. “For every 1 lakh newborns, 28 deaths occur,” she noted, emphasizing that the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS), ranked as the sixth-best hospital in the country, was not directly linked to the deaths.
The issue of maternal deaths in Ballari district has gained renewed attention following the death of Sumaya, who passed away on December 5 after complications following a cesarean surgery. She was admitted to the VIMS hospital in Ballari on November 10, and after undergoing surgery, developed kidney issues, eventually leading to multiple organ failure. This incident follows the deaths of several other women, including Rojamma, Nandini, Muskaan, Mahalaxmi, and Lalitamma, all of whom died due to post-delivery complications in the district.
These incidents have caused widespread concern, with many calling for immediate action to address the root causes of maternal deaths in the state. The government has pledged to investigate the causes and improve healthcare systems to prevent further tragedies. However, with public outrage growing, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be enough to restore confidence in the state’s healthcare system.
