The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) recorded 48 maternal deaths during the fiscal year 2025–26, with fatalities split equally between public and private healthcare facilities, each accounting for 24 deaths. This data underscores a significant achievement for public hospitals: maternal deaths in government-run facilities have plummeted by more than 50% over the past three years, declining from 50 in 2023–24 to just 24 in the latest period.
Reasons Behind the Decline
Health officials attribute this steady improvement to a combination of upgraded infrastructure, a more efficient referral system, and early detection of high-risk complications. These measures have collectively strengthened maternal care in the city.
Leading Causes of Mortality
An analysis of the 48 recorded deaths reveals that “other illnesses” were the primary cause, accounting for 22 cases. This was followed by pregnancy-induced hypertension and eclampsia (9 cases), cardiac issues (6 cases), and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) (4 cases).
Dr Vaishali Jadhav, Assistant Health Officer at PMC, explained: “Over the years, we identified critical gaps in maternal care and addressed them systematically. We strengthened our referral chain so that high-risk pregnancies are registered and tracked closely at Kamala Nehru Hospital. By correcting pre-delivery comorbidities like anemia and hypertension and improving our labour room standards, we have seen a significant impact. Our ultimate aim is to bring this number down to zero.”
Recognition and Institutional Deliveries
The PMC’s focused intervention in maternal care has earned state-level recognition. In 2024, the PMC health department ranked first in Maharashtra for ‘LaQshya’ certification, a national programme aimed at improving the quality of care in labour rooms and maternity operation theatres.
At Sassoon General Hospital, experts noted that the rise in institutional deliveries—now at 98%—has played a crucial role in saving lives. Dr Sanjaykumar Tambe, head of gynaecology at Sassoon, emphasised the importance of specialised care and modern diagnostics.
“The growth in medical colleges and the availability of specialists, expanded blood banks, and advanced imaging like colour Doppler have allowed us to flag high-risk cases much earlier,” Dr Tambe said.
Importance of Prenatal Care
He stressed that consistent prenatal care is the key to preventing fatalities. “A gynaecologist must be involved from the first trimester until delivery. This ensures the early correction of pre-delivery conditions. Additionally, the introduction of newer drugs for postpartum haemorrhage has significantly reduced deaths caused by excessive bleeding,” he added.
