A Call for Healthy Beginnings and Hopeful Futures

World Health Day, a global observance spearheaded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that kicks off a year-long campaign dedicated to improving maternal and newborn health, has taken the theme, "Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures" for this year.

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The initiative seeks to eliminate preventable maternal and newborn deaths and ensure the long-term health and well-being of women and children worldwide.

Karnataka has long struggled with significant maternal and newborn health challenges. In the past five years alone, the state has reported over 3,350 maternal deaths. Although the numbers have been steadily decreasing, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) still stands at 64 deaths per one lakh live births as of 2024. In the Kalyana Karnataka region—comprising districts like Kalaburagi and Ballari—the situation is especially concerning, with around 150 maternal and 2,250 newborn deaths reported annually.

One of the most glaring disparities in Karnataka's healthcare system is the stark contrast between government and private hospitals. While private facilities tend to offer better outcomes, government hospitals bear the brunt of the crisis. In the months between August and November 2024, government hospitals accounted for 179 maternal deaths, significantly higher than the 38 fatalities reported in private healthcare institutions. This disparity points to critical issues in the public healthcare sector, including staff shortages, inadequate equipment, and overburdened facilities.