With an aim to reduce Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the state, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Thursday issued strict instructions against home deliveries, as such deliveries often lead to maternal or child death due to lack of proper medical facilities.
In order to accomplish the sustainable development goal of 70 per lakh live births by 2030, Dr Balbir Singh said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government is committed to make Punjab number one state in terms of providing the best possible health care facilities.
He ordered for early detection of High risk pregnancies, besides, ensuring their follow up medical examinations as stipulated by the guidelines. He said that every pregnant woman should be treated with respect in government hospitals.
Elaborating about Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) program, Dr Balbir Singh said this programme envisages guaranteed maternal health services to the pregnant women which include ambulance services to pick up and drop for delivery, minimum four ante natal check ups, free delivery services etc., the programme also has a time bound grievance redresssal mechanism through 104 call centre.
On the directions of the Health Minister, a state level orientation and review meeting on various maternal health components was organised here at Directorate of Health Services Punjab office on Thursday. The District Family Welfare Officers and District Programme Managers also attended the meeting.
The meeting was presided over by Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Adarshpal Kaur, Director Health Services (Family Welfare) Dr. Ravinder Pal Kaur and Director NHM Dr SP Singh. Deputy Director Dr Vijay Kumar, Assistant Director Dr Vineet Nagpal and State Programme Officer (MCH) Dr. Inderdeep Kaur had delivered keynote address during the meeting.
In her address, Dr. Adarshpal kaur asked the health officials to focus on various causes of high risk pregnancies out of which anaemia is a major cause of concern which needs to be addressed on priority. She exhorted everyone including ASHA and ANMs to work collectively for reduction of MMR. She also underlined the strengthening of media and IEC activities.
She said Health department has successfully implemented various health improvement measures in the field of Maternal and child care such as the operationalization of 34 dedicated Mother and Child hospitals in Punjab, Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB), Surakshit Matritva Ashwasan (SUMAN), Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative (LaQshya), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karaykram (JSSK), Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA).
Dr Ravinder Pal Kaur emphasised that the messages or instructions received in this review meeting should percolate to the staff working at the ground level so that various maternal health programs should be implemented successfully. During the meeting an interactive experience sharing session was also conducted.