Bengaluru, Practically 70 per cent of maternal deaths that occurred between April 1 and December 31, 2024, may have been prevented by following sure practices resembling optimising cesarean charges and making certain well being facility preparedness, in line with the interim maternal loss of life audit report launched by the Well being and Household Welfare Division on Friday.
Over 70 laptop maternal deaths in Karnataka may’ve been prevented: Audit report
In line with the report, out of the 464 maternal deaths analysed throughout districts within the state throughout this era, 18 have been linked to using substandard Ringer Lactate answer, reportedly provided by West Bengal-based producer Paschim Banga Prescription drugs.
Of the 18 maternal deaths related to the Ringer Lactate problem, 5 have been reported in Ballari, 4 in Raichur, 4 in Bengaluru City, three in Uttara Kannada, and one every within the Yadgir and Belagavi districts.
The audit discovered that 65 per cent of the whole maternal deaths occurred in authorities hospitals, 22 per cent in personal hospitals, 10 per cent in transit, and a couple of per cent at house.
It famous that the ten deaths that occurred in transit have been brought on as a consequence of “negligence of the service providers.”
The report additionally revealed that fifty per cent of the maternal deaths occurred amongst ladies aged 19 to 25 years, whereas 6 per cent have been amongst ladies aged above 35.
Additional, 72 per cent of the deaths have been amongst first-time and second-time pregnant ladies.
Notably, 68.5 per cent of the ladies who died had a number of danger components resembling hypertension, diabetes, infections, or extreme anemia—indicating that high-risk pregnancies considerably contributed to maternal mortality.
In distinction, 31 per cent of the deaths occurred in ladies with no recognized danger components.
The audit report acknowledged that 37 per cent of the maternal deaths adopted regular deliveries, whereas 63 per cent have been related to cesarean sections.
In line with the state authorities, Karnataka has made regular progress in lowering maternal deaths and has already achieved the Sustainable Growth Objective of a Maternal Mortality Ratio beneath 70 by 2030.
“As per the latest 2024–25 statistics, the state MMR is 57. Compared to the previous financial year, maternal deaths have decreased in the first three months of this year. In January–March 2024, 148 maternal deaths were reported, while in the same period in 2025, the number dropped to 102,” the division mentioned in a press release.
The state-level knowledgeable committee additionally submitted 27 suggestions to enhance the standard of antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum providers in healthcare amenities.
Key suggestions embrace capability constructing, equipping amenities with important medication and gear, strengthening blood storage items, and mandating hospital stays of three days after regular supply and 7 days after cesarean supply.
The committee additionally advisable autopsy examinations in circumstances the place the reason for loss of life is unclear.
“Birth planning should be done for all pregnant women, including decisions on the time, place, and mode of delivery. Necessary logistics such as transportation—via 108 services or local transport—should be discussed and finalised well before the expected delivery date,” the report acknowledged.
In line with the Well being Division, the committee reviewed all maternal deaths, together with these in personal amenities, that occurred in Karnataka from April 1 to December 31, 2024.
The audits have been performed by inspecting healthcare processes primarily based on medical information and oral submissions from docs and specialists concerned within the care of the deceased sufferers.