**Executive Summary**
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken *suo motu* cognizance of 53 maternal deaths occurring between April 2025 and March 2026 in the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh. The Commission identifies these deaths as a serious violation of human rights resulting from inadequate medical facilities and infrastructure. A formal notice has been issued to the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, requiring a detailed report on the matter within two weeks of June 2, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Maternal Mortality Statistics**
* 53 expecting mothers died during pre- and post-delivery phases within a one-year period.
* The average age of the deceased was 26 years, with the majority being first or second-time mothers.
* Sidhi district has consistently ranked in the bottom three of the state’s Community Maternal Health League grading.
**Healthcare Infrastructure Deficiencies**
* There is a critical lack of doctors and technical experts at Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and the District Hospital.
* The absence of basic infrastructure forces medical facilities to refer patients to the distant Rewa District, posing significant risks during transit.
**Logistical and Connectivity Barriers**
* Poor road connectivity in several villages prevents ambulances from reaching patients directly.
* Pregnant women are often carried on cots for two to three kilometres to reach the nearest ambulance.
* Transportation and accessibility issues are further complicated during the monsoon season.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of Madhya Pradesh (Chief Secretary)**
**Impact**
The state government is under scrutiny for potential human rights violations and systemic failures in providing essential maternal healthcare and infrastructure.
**Action Required**
The Chief Secretary must submit a detailed report to the NHRC within two weeks regarding the maternal deaths and the state of medical facilities in the district.
**Health Facilities in Sidhi District (CHCs, PHCs, and District Hospital)**
**Impact**
These facilities are identified as under-equipped and under-staffed, leading to a reliance on referrals that risk patient lives.
**Action Required**
There is a documented need to address the shortage of doctors, technical experts, and basic infrastructure to meet state health standards.
**Expecting Mothers and Local Residents**
**Impact**
Residents face life-threatening conditions due to a lack of awareness, medical facilities, and physical access to emergency transport.
**Action Required**
While the document focuses on administrative action, it implies a requirement for residents to receive better medical awareness and improved physical access to healthcare services.
Key Entities Referenced
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): The statutory body that took suo motu cognizance of 53 maternal deaths, treating the lack of medical facilities as a serious violation of human rights.
Sidhi District, Madhya Pradesh: The specific geographic location central to the report where inadequate medical infrastructure and poor road connectivity led to numerous maternal deaths.
Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh: The primary administrative authority issued a notice by the NHRC to submit a detailed report on the district's medical failures.
Community Maternal Health League grading: A performance ranking system by the State Health Department in which Sidhi district consistently ranked among the bottom three.
National Human Rights Commission
NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of 53 maternal
deaths within a year due to lack of facilities in the
Sidhi District of Madhya Pradesh
Reportedly, the district has consistently ranked among the
bottom three districts in the Community Maternal Health
League grading conducted by the State Health Department
Issues notice to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary, calling
for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks
Posted On: 02 JUN 2026 11:21AM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report
about the deaths of 53 expecting mothers during pre and post-delivery in the Sidhi district of Madhya
Pradesh in one year between April 2025 and March 2026 primarily due to lack of awareness and medical
facilities. Reportedly, the Sidhi district has consistently ranked among the bottom three districts in the
Community Maternal Health League grading conducted by the State Health Department.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of
violation of human rights. Therefore, it has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya
Pradesh, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.
According to the media report, carried on 29th May 2026, out of the 53 maternal deaths, the average age of
the deceased has been reported to be 26 years, with most of them first or second-time mothers. The news
report has also revealed a lack of basic infrastructure, including doctors and technical experts at
Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres and the District Hospital, due to which patients are
referred to higher medical facilities in the faraway Rewa District, risking life in transit. Reportedly, an
ambulance driver disclosed that several villages do not have proper road connectivity in Sidhi District,
complicating matters further during the monsoon season. The pregnant women have to be carried on cots
for two to three kilometres before reaching an ambulance.
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NSK
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