51 Maternal Deaths In Pimpri-Chinchwad Over Three Years Raise Alarm Despite 95,000+ Deliveries
Pimpri, 15th April 2025: Over the last three years, a total of 95,932 childbirths took place in municipal and private hospitals across Pimpri-Chinchwad, with 51 maternal deaths reported during this period. Of these, 48 occurred within hospitals run by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), highlighting both the healthcare system’s reach and the persistent challenges in maternal care.
Patients from Pune district and other parts of Maharashtra often seek treatment at the PCMC’s Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH) and seven other civic hospitals. For economically weaker sections and the general public, these hospitals have become a crucial healthcare lifeline.
On a daily basis, around 10,000 patients visit the outpatient departments (OPDs) of these hospitals, with 12 to 13 lakh patients receiving treatment annually. Maternity services are available at several key hospitals in the city including YCMH, Jijamata, Bhosari, Akurdi, Thergaon, Talera, Yamunanagar, and Sangvi, as well as at several private hospitals.
According to data from the municipal health department, the number of deliveries recorded was 34,796 in 2022–23, 28,069 in 2023–24, and 33,067 in 2024–25. While the overall maternal mortality rate remains relatively low compared to the volume of deliveries, the death of 51 women—mostly in public hospitals—raises concerns about gaps in emergency maternal care.
Explaining the medical context, gynecologist Dr. Neeta Mantode stated, “Childbirth occurs in two ways—normal or cesarean. Cesarean sections are performed in critical cases, such as fetal distress, high maternal blood pressure, low amniotic fluid, or umbilical cord complications.”
She further noted that maternal deaths can result from multiple factors, including complications during delivery, delayed hospital admission, high-risk pregnancies, excessive bleeding, pre-existing conditions, genetic disorders, or infections contracted during labor.
Despite the progress made in public health infrastructure, the findings underline the urgent need to strengthen maternal care systems, improve response times, and ensure early identification of high-risk pregnancies.
