Udaipur woman's 17th delivery at 55 sparks probe: Case highlights family planning gaps in tribal areas

JAIPUR/UDAIPUR: In a head-turning incident from southern Rajasthan, a 55-year-old woman from Jhadol village in Udaipur district has given birth to her 17th child, prompting the Rajasthan health department to launch an investigation into the underlying issues of population control in the region.

This extraordinary case has highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by health officials in managing high fertility rates, particularly in tribal areas of the district.The woman, Rekha Kalbeliya, a resident of Jhadol, delivered her 17th child at a local hospital, bringing her family size to 24 members. This includes her 35-year-old son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Tragically, five of her children passed away shortly after birth, leaving 11 surviving siblings.

The family is currently grappling with severe financial difficulties and lacks stable housing.Medical practitioner at Jhadol Community Health Center, Roshan Darangi, said Kalbeliya initially informed them this was her fourth delivery. However, the hospital later learnt that she had already given birth to 16 children. The doctor said such a delivery could have been high-risk without knowing the patient's full medical history.

However, the woman did not have any previous sonography reports or prenatal test results.The health department expressed grave concerns over the health risks associated with such high numbers of childbirths, especially given the family's socio-economic challenges. Dr Madhu Riteshwar, a senior health official, said, "If a woman has given birth to her 17th child, it is a matter of concern. We will investigate the case to determine if our teams have ever reached the family to encourage family planning.

We will also assess if other families in the area face similar situations."The incident intensified the health department's focus on certain blocks in Udaipur, primarily tribal pockets, which are already under scrutiny for high total fertility rates (TFR). Despite ongoing efforts, officials are struggling to bring these numbers down, and this case underscores the urgency of their mission.Officials said the health department is committed to preventing maternal mortality and addressing high-risk cases such as Kalbeliya's. The investigation, they added, will seek to uncover the root causes of such high fertility rates and implement effective strategies to promote family planning and population stabilisation in the region.