Haryana may boast an impressive institutional delivery rate of nearly 99%, but district-level data reveals a sharp urban divide. In Gurgaon, private hospitals now handle seven out of every 10 births — a trend that is steadily shrinking the share of government maternity facilities.
In 2025, 98.7% of deliveries in Haryana took place in health institutions. However, in Gurgaon alone, only 29.4% of births were recorded in government hospitals, while a striking 70.6% occurred in private facilities. Faridabad mirrors this pattern, with nearly 60% of deliveries handled by private hospitals.
Urban Affordability, Private Preference
Health officials attribute the trend to Gurgaon’s dense network of private hospitals, perceived better amenities and the higher paying capacity of urban families. With modern infrastructure, shorter waiting times and personalised care, private facilities have become the preferred option for many expectant parents.
However, public health experts caution that this shift may reflect deeper systemic challenges. Persistent space and staffing shortages at public hospitals — especially at Sector 10 Civil Hospital — have long been flagged by doctors and patients. During peak periods, facilities reportedly operate beyond sanctioned bed capacity, pushing some families to seek private alternatives even for routine deliveries.
A Public System Under Pressure
While several districts such as Panchkula, Karnal and Sirsa continue to report a majority of births in government hospitals, Gurgaon’s numbers highlight an imbalance in urban maternal care.
Experts warn that increasing reliance on private healthcare raises concerns about affordability and equity, particularly for migrant families and low-income groups. Even a small percentage of home deliveries — over 6,000 statewide — translates into thousands of women potentially missing institutional care.
A senior health official noted that the issue is not merely about infrastructure, but about restoring public confidence in government maternity services.
As Haryana maintains strong institutional delivery figures overall, Gurgaon’s growing dependence on private hospitals underscores the urgent need to strengthen public maternity capacity in rapidly urbanising districts.
