Pune: The PMC recorded 48 maternal deaths in 2025–26, with fatalities split equally between public and private hospitals (24 each). The data highlights a major success for public hospitals: maternal deaths in govt facilities have dropped by more than 50% in just three years, falling from 50 in 2023–24 to 24 this past year.Health officials attributed this steady decline to a combination of upgraded infrastructure, a more efficient referral system, and the early detection of high-risk complications.An analysis of the 48 recorded deaths reveals that “other illnesses” were the leading cause of mortality (22 cases). This was followed by pregnancy-induced hypertension and eclampsia (9), cardiac issues (6), and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) (4).“Over the years, we identified critical gaps in maternal care and addressed them systematically,” said Dr Vaishali Jadhav, assistant health officer, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). “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.”The PMC’s focused intervention in maternal care has garnered 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 OTs.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 color doppler have allowed us to flag high-risk cases much earlier,” Dr Tambe said.He stressed that consistent prenatal care is the key to preventing fatalities. “A gyanecologist 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.
