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Mumbai's Maternal Deaths: A Crisis Amidst Falling Infant Mortality
10 Jul
Summary
- Infant deaths decline, but maternal deaths fluctuate, posing a city challenge.
- Half of maternal deaths involve patients from surrounding districts.
- Monsoon illnesses and pre-existing conditions complicate high-risk pregnancies.
Mumbai is witnessing a stark divergence in mortality trends, with a notable decrease in infant and neonatal deaths, dropping from 1,846 in 2022 to 1,687 in 2024. However, maternal mortality figures present a more complex picture, fluctuating significantly over the last four years.
The city has recorded 325 maternal deaths, with annual numbers ranging between 70 and 93 since 2022. A significant factor contributing to these statistics is the high number of referred patients from neighboring districts like Thane and Palghar, or other parts of Maharashtra, often arriving in critical condition.
When considering only Mumbai residents, the maternal mortality ratio is below 70 per 100,000 live births, meeting Sustainable Development Goals. However, when including referred cases, the ratio exceeds 80. High-risk pregnancies are further complicated by monsoon-related illnesses such as leptospirosis and dengue, alongside prevalent non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
Experts emphasize that while comorbidities increase pregnancy risks, effective management is possible with a proper triaging system. Delays in referring high-risk pregnancies to tertiary care centers, equipped with adequate resources, often prove fatal, suggesting a critical need for improved referral protocols.
