Jaipur: Five thousand six hundred forty-two pregnant women due for delivery across the state in Aug have been classified as high-risk, creating a major challenge for the health department as it works to reduce maternal deaths. This figure is nearly 8% of 70,344 pregnant women in the state.According to health department data, 5,642 expectant mothers require close monitoring due to risk factors such as previous caesarean deliveries, severe anaemia and pregnancy-related hypertension. These women need timely referral, specialist care and delivery at facilities equipped to handle obstetric emergencies.Principal secretary (health and medical education) Gayatri Rathore has directed officials to reduce high-risk pregnancy cases through better nutrition, regular counselling and timely treatment. She also instructed officials to ensure advance examination and medical consultation for high-risk pregnant women likely to deliver within the next month.The concern comes after the department recorded 198 maternal deaths between April and June 2026. Maternal deaths have been reported from several cities, including Kota, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Bhilwara, Alwar and Banswara.A senior health department official said the department is identifying pregnant women with anaemia, hypertension and a history of Caesarean deliveries. “We are taking measures to prevent maternal deaths by tracking such cases and referring them to higher centres through proper transportation,” the official said.The department has directed officials across the state to ensure that every woman registered for antenatal check-ups is examined properly and that high-risk pregnancies are identified before the due date.Dr Shalini Rathore, senior specialist, obstetrics and gynaecology, Mahila Chikitsalaya, Jaipur, said timely check-ups help detect conditions such as severe anaemia, heart disease, autoimmune disorders and hypertension before they become life-threatening. She noted that some women arrive at hospitals for the first time only during labour, with haemoglobin levels as low as 5g/dL or undiagnosed serious illnesses.The health department has ordered a standard operating procedure for managing anaemia and hypertension in high-risk pregnancies across the state. Officials must ensure continuous monitoring, timely referral and treatment, supervised blood transfusion in severe anaemia cases, and random inspections of the 104 ambulance service to address deficiencies.
