BELAGAVI, 26 DEC

Belagavi district has recorded its 30th maternal death in just six months after a woman from Gokak died following childbirth on Christmas Day. Pooja, a resident of Kundaragi in Gokak taluk, gave birth to a baby boy on Wednesday but tragically passed away the following morning. Hospital authorities attributed her death to epilepsy, citing her health history and recent test results. However, Pooja's relatives have alleged negligence on the part of the hospital and have filed a complaint with the APMC police.

In addition to the maternal fatalities, the district health department reported that 322 newborns and infants have died since January 2024 for various reasons. District Health Officer Dr Shankarappa Gaded stated that maternal deaths have been linked to issues such as anaemia, pneumonia, low birth weight, and premature delivery.

Dr Vithal Shinde, the district medical superintendent, confirmed the 322 infant deaths, noting that 172 occurred at the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) alone. He explained that many infants are brought to government hospitals only in emergencies, following reports from private facilities indicating poor survival chances. This often leads to higher mortality rates, as the critical condition of these newborns is addressed too late.

Dr Shinde assured that all government healthcare facilities, including primary health centres, are committed to monitoring pregnancies and conducting timely interventions, including sonography, to reduce mortality rates for both mothers and their babies.  -Salar News