NEW DELHI: India’s maternity healthcare landscape is undergoing a significant shift, with more women accessing formal, institutional care than ever before. As per data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with over 88–90% of births now occurring in institutional settings, the share of institutional deliveries has reached 97.3% in 2023–24, signalling a sustained shift towards formal, hospital-based maternal care. Government data presented in 2025 further showed that C-section deliveries accounted for over 27% of all reported births in India during 2024–25, reinforcing the growing shift towards medically intensive maternity care.

Against this backdrop, Care Health Insurance highlights a clear expansion in women’s health claims, both in scale and intensity. Women’s health insurance claims rose 37% from FY25 to FY26, with the 20–40 age group continuing to drive this growth, increasing from 25% over the same period.

At the same time, maternity-related claims are becoming more cost-intensive, with Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities continuing to account for a larger share of overall claims, contributing to 60% of all maternity claims reported to the company.

A shift in the maternal age profile is also visible. In FY26, women aged above 35 years accounted for 12% of total maternity claim volumes, which was higher compared to previous years and increasing. The cost of this age group was 18% of the overall claim amount, indicating higher cost intensity associated with later-age pregnancies.

Overall maternity claim outgo has risen by 25% over the last two years, even as claim volumes have fluctuated, indicating a shift towards higher spend per case.

While deliveries are becoming increasingly institutionalized and more efficient, the proportion of women discharged within five days for maternal care has increased from 75% in FY24 to 82% in FY26. This duration of discharge is not resulting in cost reduction; instead, the company has seen an upward trend in cost intensity for maternal treatment.

Taken together, these trends reflect a structural shift in maternal healthcare, with rising cost intensity and evolving care patterns driving higher financial exposure. The findings are further reinforced by broader public health data, which indicates that a majority of women in India are accessing formal antenatal care services, while three out of four continue to have inadequate dietary iron intake, highlighting persistent nutritional gaps and long-term health vulnerabilities beyond maternity.

Commenting on the findings, Manish Dodeja, Executive Director & Chief Business Officer, Care Health Insurance, said, “Women’s health insurance claims are no longer following a linear growth pattern; they are expanding in both scale and intensity. We are seeing a clear shift in the maternity landscape, with costs rising steadily. While care pathways are becoming more efficient, the financial exposure associated with maternal healthcare is increasing. This is not just a utilisation trend; it reflects a broader shift in how women are accessing and experiencing healthcare today. It is therefore important for individuals to periodically reassess their coverage to ensure it remains aligned with evolving needs.”

As maternal healthcare continues to formalise and utilisation rises, ensuring adequate and timely health insurance coverage remains critical to managing financial exposure and ensuring continuity of care.

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    Date: Saturday, February 08, 2025

    Time: 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM

    Venue: Jewel Ballroom, The Westin Pune, Koregaon Park (Ground Floor)

The carnival promises an array of activities tailored for expecting moms:

• Get Famous – Snap memorable photos with Shilpa Shetty.
• Get Chatty – Participate in interactive sessions with Shilpa, sharing insights and experiences.
• Get Toned – Join in on Zumba sessions led by expert instructors, tailored for pregnancy wellness.
• Get Lucky – Win exciting prizes through various lucky draws.
• Get Energized – Dive into engaging activities designed for couples to enjoy together.

Bonus – Take advantage of special on-the-spot booking offers for Momstory’s luxurious birthing suites and comprehensive maternity care services.

Registration is compulsory due to the limited spots available. To secure your place and specially celebrate Mother’s Day, please call 88888 22222 to register. Hurry, as spots are filling fast!

The Momstory Pregnancy Carnival is your chance to celebrate the joy of motherhood in a festive atmosphere filled with fun, learning, and community building. MomStory by Sahyadri Hospitals is excited to host this special event dedicated to expectant mothers and their families.

The post Celebrate an Unforgettable Day with Shilpa Shetty at the ‘Momstory Pregnancy Carnival’ appeared first on NRI News.

SRINAGAR: ELFA International donated a Hysteroscope Unit to Lal Ded Hospital, Srinagar with financial support from NTT DATA, a global digital business and IT services leader. As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, NTT DATA partnered with ELFA International to support its mission of addressing the healthcare needs of people in Jammu and Kashmir.

A hysteroscopy is an essential instrument for performing minimally invasive procedures such as hysteroscopy. This procedure is crucial for diagnosing and treating intrauterine conditions, including abnormal bleeding, polyps, fibroids, and other uterine abnormalities. The availability of a hysteroscope will significantly enhance the hospital’s capability to provide high-quality care and improve patient outcomes.

The Hysteroscope Unit was handed over by the Chief Guest of the event Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah (IAS), Administrative Secretary of Health and Medical Education and Mr. Nazim Zai Khan (IAS), Mission Director of National Health Mission, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, other dignitaries presented at the occasion included Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Hakak  (JKAS), Administrator GMC and associated hospital, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Director Health Services, Kashmir,  Dr. Muzafer Jan, Medical Superintend LD Hospital, Mr. Mir Iftikhar Ahmad, Sr. Vice-President, ELFA International, Mr. Mehran Khan, CEO, ELFA International and senior team member of ELFA International.

Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah (IAS) congratulated the entire team on their accomplishment and said, “I thank ELFA International and NTT DATA for the donation of the Hysteroscope Unit to the Lal Ded Hospital Srinagar, the entire Kashmir region will benefit from this service.” He added, “ELFA International has been doing a commendable job in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Gauri Bahulkar, Sr. Director of Global Corporate Social Responsibility at NTT DATA, emphasized the company’s dedication to addressing healthcare disparities. “Enhancing healthcare access and infrastructure in underserved states across India is important to us. Our support for the great work that ELFA International has undertaken in upgrading Lal Ded Hospital is a small step towards a healthier, more equitable future. We also hope that more CSR funding will reach states like Jammu and Kashmir, where the need to improve healthcare infrastructure is urgent,” she said.

“We are delighted to join hands with a global leader like NTT DATA in our mission to improve the healthcare facilities across Jammu and Kashmir,” Mehran Khan, CEO, of ELFA International added. “Proper access to healthcare is integral to the dignity of the individual and these ambulances will enhance our ability to provide it in these remote areas.”

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