Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Karnataka Announces Measures to Eliminate Preventable Maternal Deaths
Karnataka wants to prevent mothers from dying during pregnancy or childbirth.
The state’s current maternal mortality ratio is 73 deaths for every one lakh live births.
Its first target is to reduce this number to below 70.
Health officials will identify pregnancies that may be dangerous and track them closely.
Some pregnant women may stay in special birth waiting homes near hospitals before delivery.
This is meant to help them receive expert care quickly when needed.
Villages will run awareness campaigns about safer pregnancy and childbirth.
The state also plans to create a special unit and a women’s health policy.
Karnataka aims to reduce preventable maternal deaths to zero across the state.
The state plans to lower its Maternal Mortality Ratio from 73 to below 70 per one lakh live births.
Measures include tracking high-risk pregnancies and establishing birth waiting homes at district, taluka and selected primary health-centre levels.
Community awareness campaigns will be conducted through gram panchayats, with zero-maternal-death panchayats recognised statewide.
A dedicated state unit and Deputy Director for women’s health will coordinate interventions and support a proposed Women’s Health Policy.
- Who
- Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader and the state Health and Family Welfare Department.
- What
- The government announced measures to reduce maternal deaths and ultimately eliminate preventable maternal deaths.
- When
- The announcement was made on September 25, at a state-level workshop; the report does not specify the year.
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka, with interventions planned across the state.
- Why
- To provide timely, quality healthcare, identify high-risk pregnancies earlier and reduce delays in specialist care and referrals.
- Current maternal mortality ratio
- 73 per one lakh live births, according to the latest 2022–24 Sample Registration System estimate.
- Immediate target
- Reduce the Maternal Mortality Ratio to below 70.
- Long-term goal
- Eliminate preventable maternal deaths across Karnataka.
- Birth waiting homes
- Planned at district and taluka levels and, where required, at primary health centres.
- Community action
- Gram panchayats will conduct awareness campaigns and recognise areas achieving zero maternal deaths.
- Government hospital deliveries
- About 60 per cent of maternal deliveries in Karnataka take place in government hospitals.
- Women’s health administration
- The state plans a dedicated women’s health unit and a Deputy Director focused on women’s health.