Punjab’s alarming rise in maternal deaths highlights the urgent need for better maternal care, timely referrals, and accountability in healthcare services.
Sharp Rise in Maternal Deaths in Punjab
Punjab’s health department has raised concern over a sudden increase in maternal deaths across the state. In just two months, 49 women died during pregnancy or childbirth. This rise has alarmed health officials, who have now ordered strict action against hospitals and staff found careless in their duties.
Maternal death means the death of a woman during pregnancy or within 42 days of giving birth due to complications related to pregnancy or delivery. Such deaths are often preventable if women get proper care on time.
What the Audit Found
A detailed audit by the health department found several reasons behind this rise in maternal deaths:
- Delay in referrals: Many women were not referred to higher hospitals on time.
- Poor handling of high-risk pregnancies: Some hospitals were not prepared to manage complications.
- Negligence by staff: Lack of alertness and poor communication among health workers.
- Inadequate follow-up: Antenatal (before birth) and postnatal (after birth) care were not monitored properly.
These findings show that there are serious gaps in the healthcare system, especially in smaller towns and rural areas.
Districts with Highest Maternal Mortality
The data revealed sharp differences across Punjab’s districts. While Bathinda recorded the highest maternal deaths in the state, Barnala reported none during the review period.
Overall, Punjab’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has risen to 90 per 100,000 live births, which is slightly higher than the national average of 88. This shows that although some districts are performing well, others continue to struggle with timely and quality maternal care, creating a worrying imbalance across the state.
Government’s Response and Next Steps
After reviewing the situation, the Punjab health department directed all district civil surgeons to look into every maternal death closely. They must find out whether the deaths were preventable and, if negligence is proved, take strict action against the responsible staff.
The government has also asked all districts to conduct Maternal Death Reviews (MDRs) to understand the exact causes and fix system-level problems.
Some of the key measures include:
- Ensuring 24×7 emergency care for pregnant women
- Improving referral systems between smaller centres and big hospitals
- Regular training of doctors and nurses on handling pregnancy complications
- Better coordination among health workers to ensure timely treatment
Why Maternal Deaths Continue to Rise
Even though many programs exist for maternal health, some major issues continue:
- Late registration of pregnancy, especially in villages
- Lack of awareness about danger signs
- Transport delays during emergencies
- Shortage of trained doctors and gynecologists
- Neglect in post-delivery care
Experts warn that unless these issues are addressed with urgency, the state could fall short of India’s target of reducing maternal mortality to below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030 under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Way Forward
To reduce maternal deaths, Punjab must:
- Identify high-risk pregnancies early and provide proper monitoring.
- Strengthen referral links between rural and urban hospitals.
- Upgrade infrastructure and ensure availability of medicines and blood banks.
- Conduct regular health audits and take action when delays or negligence are found.
- Spread awareness among women and families about timely hospital visits and danger signs during pregnancy
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Conclusion
The rise in maternal deaths in Punjab is a serious warning. Each death is not just a number—it is a life lost to problems that can often be prevented. The government’s decision to review and punish negligence is a positive move, but long-term change will come only with better facilities, awareness, and quick action during emergencies.
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