The city is witnessing an increase in maternal mortality rate as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) registered 206 maternal mortality cases in 2010, compared to 149 the year before.
According to the figures available with the civic body, of the 206 deaths, 125 were of women from Mumbai while 81 women who died in city hospitals were transferred from rural areas. In 2009, 97 of the women were from the city.
Dr Asha Advani, special officer at BMC’s family welfare department, said, “Maternal deaths were not reported earlier. It is the awareness that is resulting in the increase in the number of maternal deaths in Mumbai. Also, in most maternal death cases, the patients are transferred from areas like Kalwa, Mumbra, Ulhasnagar and Badlapur. We need to upgrade the health care system in these areas as patients from there are brought to our hospitals when they become very serious.”
Anaemia is one of the key causes for the increase in maternal deaths, according to the findings of the newly constituted maternal death committee. It is investigating deaths of women during pregnancy and delivery, which most times go unreported.
The initial findings of the six-member committee state that anaemia tops the list of factors. It is followed closely by postpartum and antepartum haemorrhage, and infection.
The district level committee headed by Dr Guirish Ambe, BMC’s executive health officer, was formed last year under the reproductive and child health (RCH) programme, which aims to bring down maternal and neo-natal mortality rates.
“We are training doctors for better investigation and the supply of iron supplements has also been boosted to treat anaemia,” said Dr Advani.
The committee had last year sent circulars to civic hospitals asking them to register maternal deaths. After a recent government resolution (GR), hospitals now also have to set up their own committees for maternal deaths.
“Any hospital, including private ones, registering more than 500 births a year should have its own committee, which will send a review of maternal deaths every month. It also has to send a detailed report of any maternal death within 24 hours, which should include the deceased’s case papers. Our aim is to improve the quality of care for women,” added Dr Advani.
According to the GR that was issued two months ago, the committee should have on board a gynaecologist, an anaesthesist, a general physician, a nodal officer and nursing staff.
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