Researchers from IIT‑Madras analysed data from Tamil Nadu’s 108 emergency response system covering 2017‑2024. The study, appearing in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, shows that after the COVID‑19 shock, Tamil Nadu’s EMS and maternal health outcomes improved markedly.
Key Developments
- Maternal mortality fell by 19 % in 2023‑24, reaching 37 deaths per 100,000 live births, well below the national average.
- Neonatal mortality dropped by 17 % and infant mortality by 19 %.
- Miscarriage reports declined by 28 %, while home deliveries fell by 36 %.
- Despite a surge in pregnancy‑related emergency calls during the pandemic, ambulance response time, transfer time and hospital hand‑off time improved after the first wave and stayed efficient through 2023‑24.
- State‑level investments in ambulance fleets, referral networks and maternal‑care programmes were sustained throughout the post‑COVID period.
Important Facts
The analysis covered the period 2017‑2024. The lead author, Prof. P. Kandaswamy, a retired IPS officer, now teaches at IIT‑Madras. The study links better EMS performance with lower maternal and neonatal deaths, though causality is not proven.
UPS C Relevance
Health is a core topic in GS 3. The findings illustrate how data‑driven governance, state‑level health infrastructure, and targeted investments can improve key indicators like MMR. Aspirants should note the role of public‑private partnerships (e.g., Moody’s Analytics collaboration) and the importance of resilient health systems during crises, a recurring theme in recent UPSC questions on pandemic response.
Way Forward
- Scale up real‑time monitoring of EMS metrics across all states to replicate Tamil Nadu’s model.
- Strengthen referral linkages between primary health centres and tertiary hospitals to reduce transfer delays.
- Continue financial support for ambulance fleets and training of emergency personnel.
- Integrate maternal‑health data with broader health‑information systems for early warning of spikes.
- Encourage research collaborations between academic institutions and government agencies to inform policy.