35-Year-old woman dies during home delivery in Malappuram

Thiruvananthapuram: A 35-year-old woman, Asma, tragically lost her life during a home delivery at her rented residence in East Kodur in Kerala's Malappuram district on Sunday.

Her newborn baby boy is receiving treatment at a Perumbavoor hospital. Asma, a native of Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district, was giving birth to her fifth child when the tragedy occurred. The incident came to light when her husband, Sirajuddin, tried to bury her body in Perumbavoor early Sunday morning.

Suspicious of the circumstances surrounding Asma's death, locals alerted the police, prompting a swift response from the Perumbavoor authorities. Asma's body was transferred to the Perumbavoor Taluk Hospital, where an autopsy has been scheduled to determine the exact cause of her tragic passing.

The couple, residents of a rented house in East Kodur, led a life marked by Sirajuddin's frequent work travels as a traditional religious healer, often accompanied by a driver.

However, the circumstances surrounding Asma's death have raised concerns, with her family alleging that her husband's delay in seeking medical attention contributed to the tragedy. According to the Malappuram police, they were informed of the incident by their Perumbavoor counterparts and are currently verifying the details. A formal complaint has been filed, prompting an ongoing police investigation into the matter.

In a related development, police have confirmed that Sirajuddin, whose connection to the case is yet to be clarified, has been admitted to the hospital following a sudden illness.

The tragic incident has shed light on the persistent issue of home births in Malappuram district, Kerala. Despite the state's impressive literacy rate and well-established healthcare system, home deliveries remain a widespread, albeit often overlooked, practice in the region.

A recent RTI response obtained by Advocate Kulathur Jaisingh has brought to light alarming statistics on home deliveries in Kerala. Between 2019 and September 2024, the state recorded 2,931 home births, with Malappuram district accounting for a disproportionate 1,244 cases.

This period also saw 18 neonatal deaths statewide, with Malappuram reporting four fatalities.

Asma's tragic case is not an isolated incident; similar tragedies have occurred across the state, including in Nemom, Thiruvananthapuram, where a mother and newborn died in February 2024, and in Thanaloor, Malappuram, where a woman suffered critical injuries in October 2024. Other districts, such as Thrissur and Kollam, have also reported fatalities and complications due to home deliveries. In response, authorities are urging increased awareness campaigns and stricter monitoring to prevent such incidents in the future.

(inputs from IANS)