Cheluvamba Hospital records 551 newborn deaths in last 15 months

Mysuru: State-run Cheluvamba Hospital in Mysuru recorded 551 newborn deaths in the last 15 months. Of the 4,746 deliveries, the death rate stood at 11.8%. The authorities attributed preterm birth, infection, birth asphyxia and malnutrition to the deaths.Infections like sepsis pneumonia, congenital anomalies, lack of breathing at birth, maternal malnutrition, underweight, lack of hygiene, birth before 37 weeks are all reasons, with most deaths occurring in the first week.Lack of awareness among women in rural areas is also identified as one of the reasons for the increase in newborn deaths. Sepsis pneumonia and meningitis occur among newborns due to unhygienic conditions, poor cord core and delayed treatments, they stated.Limited access to quality emergency care in taluk hospitals in Mysuru and surrounding districts led to high-risk pregnancy cases being admitted at the hospital for emergency treatment. The hospital was constructed during the reign of Maharajas of Mysuru, ensuring treatment for people of Old Mysuru.The district recorded 441 newborn deaths among 3,721 delivery cases in 2025, from Jan till Dec, accounting for 11.8% newborn deaths. The hospital registered 110 deaths of the 1026 deliveries, in the last three months from Jan to March in 2026, accounting for 10.7% newborn deaths, raising concerns about increasing infant mortality in the district.The hospital registered 654 newborn deaths for 3,046 deliveries, accounting for 21.4% newborn deaths in 2021. There were 603 newborn deaths of the 3,604 deliveries in 2022, with 16.7% death rate. This rate dropped to 13.6% with 477 deaths for 3,487 deliveries in 2023. While in 2024, the death rate was at 13.4% with 416 deaths for 3,101 deliveries.Speaking to TOI, Dr KR Dakshayini, dean & director of Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute, said that the staff and doctors have extended utmost attention to patients, as high-risk pregnancy cases are admitted at the hospital. There is no shortage of medical, paramedical, nursing and other staff in the hospital.All India Mahila Samskruthika Sanghatane leader Umadevi urged the govt to step up postnatal and neonatal care facilities in Cheluvamba Hospital and other hospitals, to reduce the cases of newborn deaths. She also urged the govt to undertake awareness among pregnancy cases in rural areas to reduce children mortality rate.