Pune: In 2025-26, 971 women lost their lives while giving birth. Even though the number is less than 1,106 deaths in 2024-25 and 1,131 in 2023-24, the matter is of grave concern since it points to persisting underlying causes and delay in medical attention.Joint director of health services Dr Sandeep Sangale said, “District civil surgeons and medical health officers of civic bodies probe every maternal death, classified according to underlying causes and subsequent action taken. Such interventions have helped bring down maternal mortality numbers over the years.”Maharashtra’s maternal mortality ratio is 36 per 1,00,000 live births (2021-2023) and among the lower figures in India. However, every maternal death points to a moment that needed early recognition of the illness and faster care, said Dr Rashmi Dharaskar, senior consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Surya Mother and Child Super Speciality Hospital.Dharaskar said maternal deaths can often be prevented if risks are identified before becoming an emergency. “Every pregnant woman must be screened actively for major causes, with repeat checks during antenatal visits and after delivery. In labour, doctors must quantify blood loss, activate postpartum haemorrhage protocols early, keep blood arranged, use uterotonics and magnesium sulphate when indicated, start antibiotics promptly for suspected sepsis and transfer the mother to higher care at the first sign of deterioration. The real duty is continuous vigilance, because saving the mother often depends on acting minutes earlier,” she added.Experts said there was a larger story behind the given numbers. Consultant gynaecologist and IVF specialist at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai Dr Hrishikesh Pai said delay in transferring patients turns fatal and the gap could be bridged by real-time communication between primary, secondary and tertiary centres and well-equipped transport systems.Pai said, “High-risk pregnancies must be distinctively marked and associated with facilities that possess all requirements to provide extensive emergency care to obstetric patients. Compliance with usual treatment regimens can save lives during labour and in the immediate postpartum period. Physicians should be educated to act swiftly during the so-called golden hour, especially when dealing with postpartum bleeding, hypertensive emergencies and sepsis.”Meanwhile, Sangale said, “The state runs multiple schemes to lower maternal mortality and to ensure that every woman has a risk-free delivery experience. It includes the Janani Suraksha Yojana, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, PM Matruvandana Yojana. Financial assistance and medical supplements to improve health indicators are also provided under the schemes. Our staff also visits each home with a pregnant woman for antenatal care and postnatal care.”Graphic:head: State health dept numbers2025-26: 9712024-25: 1,1062023-24: 1,1312022-23: 1,217The major causes of deaths identified include hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, haemorrhage, sepsis, pulmonary embolism, heart diseases and anaemia
