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Karnataka's Maternal Health Improves, C-Sections Surge
30 May
Summary
- Maternal and child health indicators show significant improvement in Karnataka.
- Caesarean section rates have substantially increased, especially in urban areas.
- Child malnutrition, while showing some improvement, remains a public health challenge.
Karnataka has achieved significant progress in maternal and child health, as indicated by the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) for 2023-24. Key improvements include near-universal institutional deliveries at 98.7% and increased skilled birth attendance at 96.6%. Antenatal care coverage has risen, with 82.4% of women receiving care in the first trimester and 84.5% attending at least four check-ups.
Maternal nutrition has also seen substantial gains, with 78.0% of pregnant women consuming iron and folic acid tablets for at least 100 days. Full immunisation coverage for children aged 12-23 months reached 90.2%. Despite these advances, child malnutrition remains a concern, though stunting and underweight percentages have declined.
Conversely, caesarean section deliveries have surged to 45.7% statewide, with urban areas reporting 52.6% and private hospitals at 63.8%. Exclusive breastfeeding rates saw a marginal increase to 61.6%. While chronic undernutrition indicators have improved, acute malnutrition and adequate diet consumption among young children require continued attention.
