Represntative image of a pregnant woman.
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Bengaluru: The Department of Health and Family Welfare formed a Stillbirth Surveillance and Response committee (SBSR) on Thursday to combat rising stillbirth rates statewide.
Department data from August has shown Karnataka recorded 3.41% stillbirths per 1,000 births, which spiked to 9.8% in some districts, triggering alarm.
Haveri recorded the highest deaths, followed by Dharwad, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru. Authorities found sharp increases even in districts that previously reported minimal or zero stillbirths.
The committee will track stillbirth numbers and causes, following International Classification of Diseases for Perinatal Mortality guidelines (ICD-PM).
Hospital nodal officers must report deaths within 24 hours to district and state officials.
The panel will examine preventable deaths and use data to inspect districts with the highest cases. It will also identify treatment gaps and recommend solutions to the health department.
Failing to register deaths will result in serious charges against hospital officials, while government officials will face internal investigations for failing to register cases.
Conversely, private hospitals failing to register deaths will face action under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Act, 2007.