Bengaluru, Sept. 16 -- Karnataka has reported the highest Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) among South Indian states, according to the 2021-23 Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality released by the Office of the Registrar General of India. The state recorded 68 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, well above the southern average of 42 and higher than Kerala (30), Tamil Nadu (35), Andhra Pradesh (30), and Telangana (59).

While Karnataka performs better than the national average of 88 and significantly better than high-burden states in northern and central India, its figures remain a concern in the southern context. Karnataka is being seen as a vulnerable point in a region otherwise recognized for strong maternal and child health indicat...