A day-long seminar on maternal health issues and safe abortion services in the valley was held today at Government Lal Ded Hospital here during which a skit highlighting the significance of saving the gild child was also presented.The seminar was organized by Common Health, WHIPRO, Ahsan Foundation NGOs in collaboration with the maternity hospital.Various experts, gynecologists, obstetrics and epidemiologists stressed on the need of creating awareness and maintaining high care during women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. They also highlighted health care dimensions of family planning, preconception, prenatal, and postnatal care in order to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.The experts said that India contributes roughly 20% of all maternal deaths globally. The current status of maternal health in India is a human rights challenge which demands reorientation of programme strategies and interventions.
While Maternal Morality ratio has declined in India during the past decade but it still is short of meeting the MDG-5 on reduction of maternal morality.Main reasons cited for unsafe abortions were poverty, gender discrimination and failure of health systems.During the seminar, a volunteer, Shabir Hussain Khan, was felicitated for donating 155 blood points; he was termed as inspiration and role model for others to follow.Medical Superintendent LD Hospital Dr Nazir Ahmad Malik, A.K. Wani senior Programme Manager JKVHA, HOD Gynecologist & Obstetrics Dr. Shahnaz Teng, Epidemiologist Dr. Rehana, Medical Officer Indian Red Cross Society Dr Gazala, External Monitor WHO Asma Khan, Medical Officer PHE Dr Basra, former HOD community Medicine SKIMS Dr Abdul Majid, and Director Ahsan Foundation Rahi Riyaz also spoke on the occasion.Later, the NGO members presented drama skit on ‘Beti Bachoa Beti Padoa’ social campaign which aims to generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services for girls.