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Punjab's maternal care crisis: Deaths rise amid neglect
13 Dec
Summary
- High-risk pregnancies lack follow-up, leading to maternal deaths.
- Untrained staff and home deliveries contribute to increased fatalities.
- Cases of gross negligence by health personnel reported in districts.
Maternal deaths are alarmingly on the rise in Punjab, a critical failure stemming from inadequate healthcare practices. The state's health system is struggling with insufficient follow-up for high-risk pregnancies, a concerning increase in deliveries handled by untrained personnel, and a prevalence of home births.
Recent reviews have highlighted instances of gross negligence, including a home birth where a mother died from infection after 18 days without care, and another case where a pregnant woman died along with her newborn after seizures post-anaesthesia. An untrained professional at a private nursing home also caused a maternal death.
Authorities are demanding explanations from officials and have implemented measures like sealing facilities run by untrained staff. The health department is now ensuring senior officials directly oversee high-risk pregnancy follow-ups to prevent future tragedies.
