The rights body has issued a notice to the State Chief Secretary after taking suo motu cognisance of reports linking the deaths to poor healthcare access and inadequate medical infrastructure.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report on the deaths of 53 pregnant women in Madhya Pradesh’s Sidhi district between April 2025 and March 2026, and has sought a detailed report from the State government within two weeks.
The Commission said the reported deaths, which occurred during the pre-delivery and post-delivery period, were allegedly linked to a lack of awareness and inadequate medical facilities. It observed that the contents of the media report, if found to be true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights.
The development brings renewed attention to maternal health services in Sidhi district, which has reportedly remained among the bottom three districts in the Community Maternal Health League grading conducted by the Madhya Pradesh State Health Department.
In a notice issued to the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, the NHRC sought a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the measures being taken to address the gaps in healthcare delivery.
According to the media report, published on 29 May 2026, the average age of the 53 women who died was 26 years. Most of them were first-time or second-time mothers.
The report also highlighted significant shortages in healthcare infrastructure across the district. Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres and the District Hospital reportedly lack adequate numbers of doctors and technical experts, forcing patients to travel to higher medical facilities in Rewa district for treatment.
Such referrals can become critical during obstetric emergencies. Maternal mortality refers to the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within a specified period after delivery, often requiring timely access to skilled medical care and emergency obstetric services.
The media report further cited an ambulance driver who said that several villages in Sidhi district do not have proper road connectivity. The problem becomes more severe during the monsoon season, when transportation delays can hinder access to healthcare facilities.
According to the report, pregnant women from some villages have to be carried on cots for two to three kilometres before reaching an ambulance.
The NHRC’s intervention places the spotlight on maternal healthcare delivery, emergency referral systems and rural health infrastructure in one of Madhya Pradesh’s most underserved districts. The Commission is expected to examine the State government’s response once the report is submitted.
