Even after achieving an enviable position in primary health care, the State continues to have a high maternal mortality rate (MMR). With 250 mothers dying in child birth against over four lakh deliveries in 2013-14, the MMR is in the range of about 50 to 60 deaths per one lakh births.

Though the State provides a better picture of maternal health against the all India MMR hovering around 200 deaths, the State forum of gynaecologists is coming up with a study on why mothers in Kerala die. A case study of mothers dying during child birth has been taken up to find out causes and address them with skill and technical support. “The problem is data collection and comprehensive action,” senior gynaecologist V.P. Paily, who was president of the All Kerala Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, told The Hindu . The State achieved MMR of 87 in 1992, but made no major progress till 2009 when MMR was 81.

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