70% of maternal deaths in Karnataka between April and December of 2024 were preventable, finds audit report

A government constituted technical team of health experts has found that 70% of maternal deaths in Karnataka between April and December 2024 could have been prevented. The team, headed by the director of the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services, was constituted following the sudden spurt in maternal deaths in Ballari in November 2024.  

A government constituted technical team of health experts has found that 70% of maternal deaths in Karnataka between April and December 2024 could have been prevented. The team, headed by the director of the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services, was constituted following the sudden spurt in maternal deaths (5 deaths) in Ballari in November 2024.  

The ‘Interim Maternal Death Audit Report’ was submitted to Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday by the team of experts. The experts had audited a total of 464 maternal deaths in the period. While 65% (305) of these deaths occurred in public health facilities, 22% (103) of them occurred in private hospitals. A significant number of the deaths (380 i.e. 82%) occurred between the time of childbirth to 42 days after delivery. 

The report has observed that the deaths could have been prevented if correct decisions were made at the right time regarding the treatment plans adopted at the facility level for risk factors like anaemia, hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes and such conditions that are developed during the pregnancy, pointing out that 69% of the mothers who died had more than one risk factor.  

With 63% of maternal deaths being associated with caesarean (c-section) births, the report recommends optimisation of c-sections and promoting vaginal delivery. Further, around 10% (45) of deaths had occurred during transit from home to hospital or hospital to hospital which the report says shows that the patients were not stabilised before they were referred to a higher level of hospitals. 

A better level of preparedness at healthcare facilities, which included ensuring the availability of requisite blood in the blood bank, drugs and consumables, uterine balloon tamponades, SR cannula, non-pneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG), etc., could also have prevented the deaths, the report states.  

Addressing the report, Mr. Rao said, “Our goal is to reduce the 70% preventable deaths to 0 as in ensuring that they are prevented. Although we cannot control every aspect, if we provide our services and the quality of care which are in our control in the right way, then there will not be any such deaths. That is our target.” 

With 530 maternal deaths, the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in Karnataka stands at 57 for the year 2024-25. The Minister said that the government aims to bring the number down to 19 (and match Kerala’s MMR) in the next two years.