NEWS –

• The Karnataka government has approved ‘Mission Zero Preventable Maternal Death’, a new action plan aimed at reducing the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR).
• The state’s current MMR stands at 57 per one lakh live births.

HIGHLIGHTS

Background and Key Findings

• In 2024–25, Karnataka recorded 9,31,850 births and 530 maternal deaths.
• 70% of these deaths were preventable, according to internal investigations.
• Major causes identified:
  • Postpartum haemorrhage
  • Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy
  • Sepsis and infections
  • Thrombosis and embolism
  • Medical disorders complicating pregnancy

Institutional Strengthening

• Rationalisation of 148 taluk hospitals and 274 Community Health Centres (CHCs).
• Priority districts: Ballari, Vijayanagar, Chitradurga, and Tumakuru, which together account for 14% of total maternal deaths.
• Monitoring through taluk-level committees headed by Deputy Commissioners.

Welfare and Assistance Measures

• Target group: Pregnant and lactating women from Priority Household (PHH) category in 10 taluks of Karnataka Mining & Environment Corporation (KMERC) districts.
• Monetary & nutritional support via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT):
  • ₹14,500 for first-time mothers.
  • ₹15,500 for second-time mothers (₹6,000 from PMMVY).
• 25,851 beneficiaries to be covered at a cost of ₹2,484 lakh.

Medical Interventions and Equipment

• Essential drugs: Carbetocin (for haemorrhage) and Ferric Carboxymaltose (for anaemia).
• Equipment procurement: Uterine Balloon Tamponade, Semi-automated Coagulation Analyzer, USG and NST machines.
• Magnesium sulphate to be administered immediately in severe preeclampsia cases.

 Digital Monitoring and Reforms

• Launch of K-ARC Partography, an exclusive software to monitor deliveries in real time in public hospitals.
• Death audit mechanism to be strengthened under a state-level technical audit committee.
• Proposal to include Arogya Bharat–Arogya Karnataka schemes for critical maternal care in private hospitals.

Significance

• The initiative reflects Karnataka’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1 – reducing the global MMR to less than 70 per 1,00,000 live births.
• Integrates technology, healthcare infrastructure, and social welfare, setting a replicable model for other states.