29 maternal and 322 infant deaths recorded in Belagavi: Health dept

BELAGAVI: The Belagavi district has recorded 29 maternal deaths in the past six months and 322 infant deaths in this year, according to the district health department on Monday.

- Hirekop Rajan Samuel

This comes in the wake of ongoing controversy over the maternal deaths in Ballari caused by contaminated IV fluids.

Speaking to reporters, Belagavi district health officer (DHO) Dr Shankarappa Gaded said that the 29 maternal deaths reported in the district this year were due to various health complications, including anaemia, pneumonia, low birth weight, and premature delivery.

Dismissing allegations of medical negligence or adverse effects of treatment, he said: "The maternal death rate is indeed alarming, but these cases occurred despite adherence to standard medical protocols." He added that these fatalities were reported across maternity centres in private hospitals between April and October 2024.

District medical superintendent Dr Vithal Shinde said: "322 newborn deaths occurred from January to December, with 172 cases reported at the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) alone. While the number of infant deaths is distressing, it is lower compared to last year." HT reached out to Shinde for the data on infant deaths in 2023 but couldn't.