Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Report Exposes Forgotten Tribal Mothers’ Maternal Healthcare Crisis
A journalist investigated childbirth conditions in remote tribal villages of Maharashtra.
She found that some women give birth without doctors, nurses or ambulances nearby.
Traditional male midwives sometimes use bamboo, blades and arrowheads to help with deliveries.
Some women must be carried for long distances to reach a health centre.
One woman, Giru Killa Pawra, delivered her baby alone while her husband was away for work.
She was unsure whether the baby was stillborn or died after birth.
The investigation found that some births and deaths may never be officially recorded.
The Bombay High Court asked the state government to explain the situation.
Maharashtra’s Health Minister also ordered an inquiry.
A year-long investigation found tribal women in remote Nandurbar delivering without reliable medical assistance.
Traditional male midwives reportedly use bamboo splinters, arrowheads and razor blades during deliveries.
Some villages lack ambulances, while primary health centres can be about nine kilometres away.
Deaths and deliveries may go unrecorded, including the case of Giru Killa Pawra’s newborn.
The Bombay High Court sought answers from Maharashtra, while the Health Minister ordered an inquiry.
- Who
- Tribal women, traditional male midwives, journalist Deepti Raut, Maharashtra officials and the Bombay High Court.
- What
- A year-long investigation reported unsafe childbirth practices, limited healthcare access and potentially unrecorded maternal and newborn deaths.
- When
- The investigation took place over about one year and followed a 2025 visit by Maharashtra’s Health Minister.
- Where
- Remote tribal areas of Nandurbar district, especially Dhadgaon and Akkalkuwa, in Maharashtra.
- Why
- The report examined the gap between government maternal-welfare schemes and healthcare conditions in remote villages.
- Reporter
- Deepti Raut of Divya Marathi
- Investigation period
- About one year
- District
- Nandurbar, described as a 100 per cent tribal district
- Childbirth practices
- Traditional midwives reportedly use bamboo splinters, arrowheads and razor blades
- Healthcare access
- Some villages had not seen an ambulance, and some primary health centres were about nine kilometres away
- Government response
- The Bombay High Court sought an explanation from Maharashtra, and the Health Minister ordered an inquiry
- Recognition
- Raut received the First Prize in The Statesman Awards for Rural Reporting 2025