Maternal, infant mortality rates decline in Coimbatore district

Coimbatore district has shown a significant decline in the maternal mortality rate (MMR) and the infant mortality rate (IMR) in the past two years. In 2023-24, the total maternal mortality cases across the district stood at 42 and the same dropped to 36 in 2024-25. Similarly, the IMR was recorded as 7.5 per 1,000 live births in 2023-24 and it dropped to 5.5 in 2024-25. In order to further reduce both the MMR and IMR, the health department is planning to increase its early detection and continuous monitoring.
"There is a state-wide decline and the district is performing well. To further reduce the numbers, we aim to intensify early detection of complications and follow-up of such cases. The regular maternal and child health camps conducted every Saturday will also be intensified," said P Balusamy, deputy director, health services, Coimbatore.
The district records an average of 48,000 childbirths annually, of which nearly 3,000 to 4,000 happen every month. Almost 150 to 180 childbirths are carried out across the 89 primary health centres and govt hospitals in the district.
High-risk cases constitute around 40% of the total childbirths and they are sent for secondary care and tertiary care based on the complications. The secondary care treatments are provided at the govt hospitals including the ones in Pollachi, Valparai Mettupalayam, Annur, Sulur and Sundakamuthur.
At least 10% of the high-risk cases are diverted to the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH). Balusamy said, "Pregnant women with previous C-section, heart disease, liver disease, uncontrolled blood pressure or short stature that is associated with an underdeveloped pelvis are classified as high-risk cases. Also, complications are high among the woman who get pregnant for the first time in the age of 30 or 35. These categories are treated at the CMCH."
At a meeting that district collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar convened last week it was decided to streamline all hospitals, both govt and private. While talking to TOI, the collector said, "We shall shortly be directing all hospitals to display their category and available facilities at the entrance. This will help easily divert patients, especially the maternal emergencies, to the nearest multi-speciality hospital. This will reduce the risk of shifting the childbirth cases after being admitted. Also, the available facility and the category of hospital should be intimated to the patient at the time of registration."
Both MMR and IMR have shown a periodical decline. The total maternal mortality cases recorded in 2022-23 was 71. Similarly, the IMR stood at 10.2 in 2022-23 and 10.4 during the pandemic in 2021-2022.