Imphal: Manipur’s Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) stands at a concerning 282 per 100,000 live births, indicating significant gaps in healthcare delivery.
Major causes include haemorrhage, according to data from the Health Management Information System (HMIS) for 2025. Official health records show the MMR was around 80 per 100,000 live births during 2010–11.
In this context, Bishnupur Deputy Commissioner Pooja Elangbam on Monday chaired a District-Level Review Meeting of the Maternal Death Committee at the Conference Hall of the Mini Secretariat Complex, Bishnupur.
Organised by the District Health Society and the District Family Welfare Bureau (DFWB), Bishnupur, the meeting focused on conducting Maternal Death Reviews (MDR) and Maternal Near Miss (MNM) reviews. Discussions centred on analysing the causes of maternal deaths, identifying systemic failures such as delays and poor case management, and formulating actionable measures to prevent future incidents.
Addressing the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner said the review mechanism serves as an administrative tool to analyse maternal mortality and prevent future deaths. She emphasised that the process would help reduce preventable maternal deaths by fostering a cycle of learning and continuous improvement in maternal healthcare services at the district level.
She further stressed the importance of regular antenatal check-ups for pregnant women and advised against home deliveries without proper consultation with healthcare professionals to avoid untoward incidents.
Co-Chairperson and Chief Medical Officer Dr L. Raichandra, Member Secretary and District Nodal Officer Dr L. Kuber Singh, along with other committee members attended the meeting.
Later, the Deputy Commissioner also chaired a review meeting of the District Advisory Committee under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act at the same venue. During the meeting, District Family Welfare Officer Dr L. Kuber Singh explained that the committee plays a crucial role in curbing prenatal sex determination and sex selection.
He said the committee ensures compliance of ultrasound clinics with regulatory norms, prevents female foeticide, and promotes ethical healthcare practices through registration reviews, compliance monitoring, and regular inspections.
Pooja Elangbam, who also serves as Chairperson of the PC-PNDT Committee, urged members to intensify community-level awareness about penalties associated with illegal sex determination practices. The meeting was attended by members of the District Advisory Committee, PC-PNDT, including Co-Chairperson Dr L. Raichandra.