Times of India
26 August 2009
Pune, India
By Sarang Dastane

Programme Aims To Check Complications And Maternal Deaths During Deliveries
The Pune zilla parishad (ZP) has started an initiative of providing regular medical assistance and clinical consultation to pregnant women in rural areas of the district. The programme will be run in co–ordination with private medical practitioners, especially gynaecologists. The ZP will also conduct antenatal registration of every pregnant woman in the district.

During the drive, the ZP also aims to reduce the number of home deliveries by creating awareness among would–be mothers and tell them to approach the primary health centres (PHCs) during the time of delivery. The programme will be introduced at all the 96 PHCs across the 13 talukas in the district.

ZP CEO Sanjeev Kumar said, “The programme focuses on regular check–ups, clinical treatment and antenatal check–ups of pregnant women. We are trying to restrict the occurrence of complications as well as deaths during deliveries. We will work in co–ordination with NGOs working in the field of women health, as well as private gynaecologists.”

“Gynaecologists will visit PHCs and conduct regular check–ups at least three times before delivery. The check–up facility will also be made available at sub–centres and headquarters along with the PHCs. All pregnant women will be provided an antenatal checkup card,” he said. Kumar said the district registers around 75,000 pregnant women every year. Among them, around 15 per cent deliver at home, while 85 per cent are institutional deliveries.

He said that the causes of deaths during pregnancy include haemorrhage, hypertension, septicaemia, toxaemia as well as other complications. These maternal deaths can be prevented by regular antenatal check–ups by gynaecologists and if deliveries are conducted at hospitals.

Kumar said awareness camps and drives will be held in villages, which include distribution of banners and handbills. A vehicle will be made available to pick up and drop back all pregnant women after the camp. Information regarding this project will be made available with the help of ASHA and Anganwadi workers.