Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), a clear indicator of maternal health, has increased in Coimbatore district. As many as 26 maternal deaths were reported in 2016-17, against 22 cases reported in 2015-16.
The district recorded an MMR of 59 in 2016-17 and it was 48 in 2015-16.
However, the rate is lower than the MMR of Tamil Nadu (79), as per a survey of Sample Registration System (SRS) in 2014. MMR is calculated by the number of maternal deaths per 1 lakh live births.
P.G. Bhanumathi, Deputy Director of Health Services, Coimbatore, said that a few maternal deaths reported in Coimbatore in 2016-17 were cases referred from other districts.
“Some of the maternal deaths were serious cases from other districts admitted to hospitals in Coimbatore. Such deaths were also added to the figures of the district,” said Dr. Bhanumathi.
Drop in deliveries
Statistics show that the number of deliveries in the district per year has dropped significantly.
The total number of 44,324 deliveries reported in Coimbatore in 2016-17 is the lowest since 2011-12.
The MMR of Coimbatore was 52.3 when 26 maternal deaths out of 49,688 deliveries were reported in 2011-12.
Though the district witnessed same number of maternal deaths in 2016-17 as well, the number of deliveries decreased to 44,324 having a direct impact on MMR.
Training
“Right prenatal and postnatal care is crucial to prevent maternal deaths. It is noted that women are taken to hospitals with inadequate facilities before being referred to tertiary level centres at complex stage. Scan facility is available even at upgraded primary health centres in Government hospitals. Newly recruited staff nurses are given special training to improve maternal care,” said Dr. Bhanumathi.
