Home Deliveries in Kerala Plunge Amid Health Concerns

Malgampu: The number of home deliveries in Kerala has plummeted significantly in recent months, with only one in every four deliveries now taking place at home.

According to reports by Manorama Online, the health department has witnessed a drastic decline in home deliveries, particularly in districts like Malappuram where the drop was notable. In March this year, 46 home deliveries took place, but this number dwindled to just 26 in April.

The reported death of a woman following a home delivery in Chattiparambu, Malappuram on April 5 sparked widespread debates about the issue and led to increased campaigns against home deliveries. The health department has also attributed the decline to the recent law enforcement measures.

Distritics see significant drop in home deliveries as well with a sharp decrease in Kollam, Kottayam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kannur but some districts saw an increase including Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kasargod and Kozhikode.

The government has come up with initiatives to promote hospital deliveries. The department announced incentives of Rs 700 for rural women in the event of a delivery at public health centers and Rs 600 in urban areas, under various schemes.

In addition, a special care scheme "Janani Suraksha Yojana" launched by the department is underway, offering discounts on private hospitals including all government hospitals providing maternity services to mothers.

These measures are aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates through organized healthcare facilities.