The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department has unveiled a roadmap aimed at reducing the state's Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to below 70 per one lakh live births and achieving the long-term goal of eliminating preventable maternal deaths.
The roadmap was discussed at a state-level workshop on the SUMAN Roadmap 2030 under the Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) programme. The workshop was held under the theme, "From Roadmap to Results: Accelerating Karnataka's Journey Towards Zero Preventable Maternal Deaths."
Health Minister U.T. Khader, who inaugurated the workshop, stressed the need to strengthen quality, timely and respectful maternal healthcare services across Karnataka.
According to the Health and Family Welfare Department, Karnataka's MMR stands at 73 per one lakh live births, based on the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) estimate for 2022-24. The state has set an immediate target of bringing the figure below 70 while working towards eliminating preventable maternal deaths.
Focus on quality maternal healthcare
The roadmap aims to shift the focus from healthcare coverage to quality of care, early risk identification, timely intervention and measurable outcomes. It also seeks to strengthen accountability at the district level.
Karnataka will follow a life-cycle approach to maternal healthcare, beginning with pre-conception care and continuing through pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
Greater emphasis will be placed on identifying and managing anaemia, nutritional deficiencies, non-communicable diseases and other risk factors before pregnancy.
High-risk pregnancies to get greater attention
For high-risk pregnancies, the department plans to strengthen the entire chain of care, from identification and risk assessment to referral, treatment, follow-up and safe delivery.
Healthcare facilities will also be strengthened to handle obstetric emergencies such as postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), hypertensive emergencies and sepsis.
The plan includes ensuring the availability of essential medicines, medical equipment, trained personnel, blood and emergency transportation and referral systems.
Maternal deaths to be reviewed for corrective action
The state will also strengthen its Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR) system.
The department said reviews of maternal deaths should go beyond documentation and focus on identifying the root causes, taking corrective action and ensuring follow-up to prevent similar deaths.
'Zero Maternal Death Gram Panchayat' campaign
As part of the roadmap, Karnataka will launch a "Zero Maternal Death Gram Panchayat" campaign to increase community participation.
Gram Panchayats will be encouraged to identify pregnant and high-risk pregnant women, connect them with antenatal care, strengthen birth preparedness and referral plans, support emergency transportation and ensure postpartum follow-up.
Seven key strategies
The roadmap identifies seven key strategies:
- Pre-conception care
- Quality antenatal care and high-risk pregnancy tracking
- Quality delivery care
- Preparedness for PPH and obstetric emergencies
- Strengthening the MDSR system
- Zero Maternal Death Gram Panchayat campaign
- Digital monitoring and accountability
Districts will be the centre of implementation, with priority districts expected to identify three to five actions based on their local maternal health challenges.
District action plans will specify the work to be undertaken, the officials responsible, timelines and how outcomes will be measured.
The department said the state government would provide policy direction, technical guidance, standards, resources and monitoring support, while districts, healthcare institutions and communities would lead implementation.
"Every mother deserves safe and respectful care. Every preventable maternal death must be prevented," the department said, reiterating its commitment to bringing Karnataka's MMR below 70 and moving towards zero preventable maternal deaths.
