KOPPAL, 14 AUG

Barring one death, government hospitals accounted for all of the 1,254 deaths of newborn babies in Koppal district over the past three years. Similarly, government hospitals accounted for all but one of the 45 mothers who died during childbirth over the past three years in the district.  

The issue came to light during the Question Hour on Monday of the Legislative Council, when Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao responded to a question from MLC Hemalatha Nayak.

"In relation to maternal and infant deaths in government hospitals across the state, notices have been issued to 11 doctors, four in Kalaburagi, two in Ramanagara, and others in Davangere, Yadgir, Tumakuru, Shivamogga, and Bengaluru Rural districts,” Gundu Rao said. "The doctors have provided explanations, and action is underway. A neutral investigation process is in place for such incidents. The State-level Maternal Death Review Committee analysed 530 maternal deaths last year." 

However, the infant mortality rate in the State has been declining, according to the 2022 Sample Registration System (SRS) report. The rate dropped from 19 per cent to 14 per cent for every 1,000 live births. 

“Government hospitals lack specialist doctors. Delays in treatment are leading to tragedies. Due to the absence of obstetricians in many places, pregnant and postpartum women are forced to suffer,” Shankar Surala a resident from Koppal, told SALAR NEWS. “The shortage of doctors in primary, community, taluk, and district hospitals must be addressed. Effective health awareness programs are necessary in rural areas.”

Koppal District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr Lingaraj told SALAR NEWS that these deaths are preventable with proper medical care and attention during delivery. 

CHILD MARRIAGES

According to the Department of Women and Child Development, there were a total of 1,419 child marriages in the State in 2023–24 and 2024–25 — 719 cases in 2023–24 and 700 in 2024–25. From April to June 2025 alone, 211 child marriage cases were reported.

Over the last two years, Chitradurga and Shivamogga districts reported the highest numbers — 158 each — while Gadag and Uttara Kannada recorded the lowest, with only three cases each.

“Child marriage, child malnutrition, and maternal anaemia are serious problems. The Health Department should focus more on these,” State Commission for Protection of Child Rights member Shashidhar Kosambe told SALAR NEWS.  "Authorities should create awareness to prevent child marriages. Child marriage stunts nutritional, mental, and physical development and increases the risk of infant and maternal deaths. The Health Department must take this seriously.”