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Kerala's Maternal Deaths Drop to Record Low
22 May
Summary
- Kerala records lowest maternal mortality ratio in India at 24 per lakh births.
- MMR decreased by six points from 30 in the previous SRS bulletin.
- Increasing high-risk pregnancies due to older mothers and comorbidities pose new challenges.
Kerala continues to lead the nation with the lowest maternal mortality ratio (MMR), achieving a rate of 24 per one lakh live births in the 2022-24 period. This represents a six-point reduction from the 30 recorded in the 2021-23 SRS bulletin, reinforcing its position as a national leader in maternal health. Tamil Nadu follows closely with an MMR of 25, also showing significant improvement.
Despite this success, health officials note a concerning trend of increasing high-risk pregnancies. Factors contributing to this include women opting for childbirth at older ages and a rise in pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and hypertension among pregnant individuals. These evolving maternal profiles necessitate enhanced healthcare infrastructure and resources to manage complex obstetric complications effectively.
