Maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality rate improve in Tiruchi city
Tiruchi city has recorded a significant improvement in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR), reflecting uptick in healthcare services.
According to official sources, Tiruchi city's MMR stood at 33.1 per one lakh live births from 2024-25. A total of three maternal deaths were recorded out of 9,062 live births in the city. Earlier, from April 2023 to March 2024, an MMR of 92.4 per one lakh live births was recorded, with nine maternal deaths out of 9,735 live births.
The MMR stood at 38.3 per one lakh live births in 2019-20, climbed to 66.3 in 2020-21, 68.1 in 2021-22 and slumped to 48.2 in 2022-23, and yet again climbed to 92.4 in 2023-24 in the district.
As many as 548 deliveries were conducted in the urban primary health centres in the city in 2024-25 and 775 during 2023-24.
The improvement in the indicators is largely due to tracking and monitoring the health of pregnant women. 'This is the best MMR in the last 10 years in the city. The maternal death has been significantly reduced from nine to three. This shows that the close monitoring of each pregnant woman can help reduction in maternal deaths. However, we aim to bring it to zero,' said M. Vijay Chandran, City Health Officer.
The three maternal deaths reported in the city were high-risk pregnancies such as pregnancy after multiple abortions and IVF and were treated in private hospitals. The main causes of maternal deaths are connected to risk factors such as pulmonary embolism followed by cardiac arrest, acute coronary syndrome, and cariogenic shock, Dr. Chandran added.
Infant Mortality Rate
Similarly, IMR stood at 8.9 per 1,000 live births during the period 2024-25. A total of 81 infant deaths were recorded. The sex ratio is 1,011 during the same period. While in 2023-24, IMR stood at 9.2 per 1,000 live births with 91 infant deaths, and the sex ratio was 991.
Health officials are conducting regular reviews of infant mortality cases, analysing the causes of death, and identifying areas for improvement. They aim to increase medical facilities and availability of emergency care services for both the baby and mother.
'Regular check-ups, vaccinations, and nutritional counselling, all of which are critical in preventing infant mortality, have been intensified,' said Dr. Chandran.
There are about 32 urban health nurses (UHN) for monitoring and reviewing the growth of the newborn as well as the health of the mother. In addition, 18 UHNs have been employed by the Corporation using its General Funds.
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