Karnataka Reports 217 Maternal Deaths in Four Months, Majority from Government Hospitals: Report

Karnataka has reported 348 maternal deaths as of November this year, with a significant rise in fatalities between August and November, accounting for 217 of the total deaths.

As per a report by The New Indian Express, a noticeable increase in maternal mortality has been seen in government hospitals, where 179 deaths were recorded, while private facilities reported 38. The state’s healthcare system is now under scrutiny, with experts pointing to systemic issues beyond the previously blamed use of certain IV fluids like Ringer’s Lactate, which had been associated with deaths in Ballari.

Between August and November, the state saw more than 50 maternal deaths per month, raising concerns among medical professionals. Although Ringer’s Lactate faced scrutiny after the deaths, specialists caution against oversimplifying the issue.

Complications such as postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of death, and amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), a rare but severe condition causing cardiovascular collapse, are key contributors to maternal mortality.

Over 3,000 deaths in the past five years

In the last five years, Karnataka has witnessed over 3,350 maternal deaths, according to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). However, the number of fatalities has decreased during this period, based on government data.

The release of this data follows the recent controversy surrounding maternal deaths in Ballari district. The total maternal deaths in the past five years stand at 3,364, with the highest number occurring during the Covid-19 pandemic when the BJP was in power. In 2019-2020, 662 maternal deaths were recorded, rising slightly to 714 the next year. However, these numbers have since declined, with 595 deaths in 2021-2022, 527 in 2022-2023, and 518 in 2023-2024.

As of November 2024, Karnataka’s maternal mortality toll stands at 348, with a Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 64 per one lakh live births.

In response to the situation, the Karnataka government has set up a four-member panel to investigate the recent maternal deaths at Ballari Hospital and other locations across the state.