Karnataka’s MMR on steady decline; reduces to 58 per lakh live births in 2020-22

Karnataka’s Maternal Mortality Ratio has dropped by 8%, recording the third highest percentage dip among the southern States.
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Indicating a steady reduction in the number of women dying during childbirth, Karnataka’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has further declined by five points from 63 per lakh live births in 2019-21 to 58 in 2020-22.

However, according to the latest Sample Registration System 2020–22 bulletin for the MMR released by the Registrar-General of India on June 13, Karnataka’s MMR continues to be the highest among the five southern States.

Karnataka figures for 2020-22 show that the decline has been steady from 69 in 2018-20 to 63 in 2019-21 and 58 in 2020-22. In terms of percentage, the State’s MMR has dropped by 8%, recording the third highest percentage dip among the southern States.

Before Ballari deaths

Although this data pertains to maternal mortality in the State before last year’s Ballari maternal deaths, the State Health Department is viewing it as a “positive trend”.

“This latest data shows a general downward trend over the past few years, suggesting long-term improvement, even if the Ballari incident was a tragic outlier. This reflects better access to antenatal care, institutional deliveries, or emergency obstetric services. The Ballari maternal deaths should not be seen as an indicator of the Statewide decline in healthcare quality,” said Rajkumar N., State Deputy Director (Maternal Health).

Karnataka’s MMR has been declining since 2016. It had reduced by nine points from 92 per lakh live births in 2016–18 to 83 in 2017–19, during the pre-COVID-19 period. In 2014–16, the State’s MMR was 108, and it reduced to 97 in 2015–17.

SDG target met

Although the decline rate is less than half of what was achieved in 2018-20 — when the MMR had reduced by 14 points from 83 per lakh live births in 2017-18 to 69 in 2018-20 — Karnataka is one of the eight States in the country that has achieved the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target much ahead of schedule.

The United Nations had set the SDG target of reaching an MMR of 70 per lakh live births by 2030. This target had been fixed as a mark of improved health outcomes for the developing world. The MMR is a significant indicator that defines the public health of a State. It determines the progress made by States in saving the lives of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation.

Lowest MMR in Kerala 

According to the latest SRS data, Kerala has recorded the lowest MMR in the country at 18 per lakh live births. Kerala is followed by Maharashtra (36 per lakh live births), Tamil Nadu (38), Andhra Pradesh (47), Telangana and Jharkhand (50 each), and Gujarat (55). At 58 per lakh live births, Karnataka stands in the eighth position in the country.

Madhya Pradesh has the highest MMR at 159 per lakh live births, recording a 16-point decline from 175 per lakh live births in 2019-21.

While Assam has recorded the highest decline in the MMR by 42 points, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan follow by 17, 16, and 15 points, respectively. Overall, six States have shown an increase in the MMR, with the highest increase of five points in Telangana.

“We are working on further improving our services to bring preventable maternal deaths to zero in the next three years,” said Dr. Rajkumar.