Maternal mortality still remains high in Karnataka compared to other southern states

BENGALURU: Karnataka has better healthcare than neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. But questions are being raised about the quality of treatment and the facilities in the state.

According to a report, maternal mortality is high in South India. The Administrative Reforms Commission has submitted a report to the government to bring down the rate of maternal mortality.

Maternal mortality is deaths caused due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth. Several factors like lack of OPDs in rural areas, taluks and primary care centers and skilled specialists during night shifts contribute to higher maternal mortality. The taluk hospitals do not have many facilities and pregnant women are sent to districts. Sometimes, the pregnant women die while being shifted to Bengaluru for further treatment.

As per the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) report of 2018-20, it has declined 69 per lakh live births in Karnataka, 19 per lakh live births in Kerala, 54 in Tami Nadu, 33 in Maharashtra, 43 in Telangana and 45 per lakh live births in Andhra Pradesh.

According to T M Vijay Bhaskar, chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission, Karnataka has secured the 7th position in the maternal morality rate when compared to all states in the country. The MMR in the state was about 69 per lakh live births in 2018-20 down from 83 per cent in 2017-2019, which is a 14 per cent reduction.

“But if we look at South Indian states, Karnataka tops the mortality rate. There is good medical service in the state, but about 63 mothers die for every one lakh live births. It can be termed a failure of the system. Hence, the Administrative Reforms Commission has recommended to the Health Department that it take steps to further reduce the maternal mortality rate”, Vijay Bhaskar said.

Chairman Vijay Bhaskar suggested to conduct research on increasing MMR in the state and empower Govt taluk hospitals

Further, he said, “We have given suggestions to conduct research on reasons for the higher maternal mortality rate through institutions like the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc). I have also given suggestions to the government to start third shift services in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Anaesthesia in government district hospitals and to empower government taluk hospitals”, the chairman added.