Health dept drive brings down home births in Mlpm

Kozhikode: A focused campaign launched by the state health department against home births has led to a significant drop in cases in Malappuram district. The drive was rolled out on April 7, World Health Day, in the wake of the death of a young woman from Kodoor who developed complications after delivering at home. According to official figures, 61 home births were reported in the first three months of this year, 25 in Jan, 13 in Feb and 23 in March. After the campaign began, the numbers fell drastically only six in April, three in May, four in June and five in July.The campaign was anchored on the slogan ‘A baby must be born into safe hands; choose a hospital to make childbirth safe'. Awareness drives highlighted the risks of home deliveries and the importance of institutional care. Data over the past five years shows Malappuram consistently reporting a high number of home births in Kerala. The district recorded 191 cases in 2024-25, down from 253 in 2023-24, 266 in 2022-23, 258 in 2021-22, and 257 in 2020-21. In 2023-24, Valavannur health block reported the most home births with 47 cases, followed by Vengara (24), Pookkottur (21) and Marakkara (19). Overall, 87% of cases occurred in rural areas, while urban areas accounted for 13%.Health officials note that multiple factors, including social situation, migration, poor transport facilities, high hospital expenses, unpleasant past experiences in medical institutions, opposition to allopathic treatment and reliance on naturopathy and acupuncture often contribute to the persistence of home deliveries.To address these concerns, the health department has intensified public engagement. Awareness programmes included street plays in vulnerable areas, seminars led by experts, community discussions involving social and cultural leaders and people's rallies. Under the district collector's leadership, meetings with religious leaders were also convened to spread the campaign's message. Alongside, immunization drives were conducted to reduce infant mortality by ensuring timely vaccination for newborns.Malappuram's figures remain the highest in the state but home births have been reported in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Thrissur and Alappuzha, where over 13 home births were recorded in the past year.