Karnataka mandates stricter norms for maternity facilities, seeks to plug safety gaps

The Karnataka government has moved to tighten regulatory oversight of maternity facilities, mandating a set of minimum standards aimed at addressing persistent concerns around maternal and neonatal safety.

Under the revised framework, hospitals offering maternity services will be required to establish formal tie ups with multiple blood banks to ensure timely access during emergencies. The order also makes it compulsory for qualified obstetricians and anaesthetists to be available on site, a step intended to reduce delays in critical interventions.

Authorities have also directed facilities to adopt digital monitoring tools such as the ARC partograph, which tracks labour in real time and helps clinicians identify complications early. Officials say this will bring greater consistency in clinical decision making and improve outcomes.

The measures follow recent audits that flagged gaps in staffing, emergency preparedness and adherence to standard treatment protocols across several centres. Health department officials indicate that compliance will be closely monitored, with penalties for institutions that fail to meet the new requirements.

The push reflects a broader effort to strengthen public trust in maternal healthcare services, particularly at a time when institutional deliveries have increased but concerns over quality of care continue to surface.