Bangalore:
A team of gynaecologists in Bangalore have taken it upon themselves to upgrade a corporation-run maternity home. Dr Latha Venkataraman and her team of 15 specialists are improving the rate of institutional deliveries in their area.
“I believe this hospital was functioning very well. I think it was started in 1962 and most of the people from this area used to come here. Unfortunately, as years went by the facilities and also the availabilities of the doctor fell or became a rarity. Thereby, the patient’s attendance to the hospital also fell,” says Venkataraman.
Two months back, Dr Venkataraman and her team of 15 specialists from the nearby private Rangadurai Hospital decided it was time for change. They roped in two gynaecologists for 8 hours daily, procured funds to get better equipment. Now, the maternity home boasts of at least 6 to 7 deliveries every week and has logged 3 surgeries.
India has the highest number of obstetricians and strangely also ranks among the highest in maternal mortality. Deaths of mothers soon after childbirth are mostly preventable. It’s in that scenario that this kind of an initiative speaks volumes.
Dr Prabha Ramakrishna, Gynaecologist, says, “See childbirth is not a disease, it is something which happens naturally to most women and it is sad that people lose lives during childbirth and that is where we need to be alert. I want to put a stop to it completely, because it is not feasible.”
Venkatraman says, “It is time we gave quality care to all women irrespective of socio-economic status. Specialists and superspecialist care should be available in their vicinity. These are simple things and simple medications can save lives. Simple things done in a simple way without missing and messing can save lives.”
And Dr Venkatraman’s efforts are showing. Over the last few weeks, the maternity home has seen a steady rise in the number of patients. In six months, the doctors plan to have enough support for 24/7 operations and the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike is looking out for more private-public-partnerships to revive its 93 hospitals.
Shankarlinge Gowda, Commissioner, BBMP, says, “Shortage of qualified doctors is an issue because we do primary care and most of the doctors are just MBBS and we send these doctors after recruitment, to these PG courses. But if the non-governmental organizations can bring in expertise in maternity care, in pediatric care and other specialties, we would welcome them.”
In a country where healthcare is out of reach to the poor, doctors like Latha Venkatraman are truly a messenger of God!
source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / Home> India / by Deepa Balakrishnan , CNN-IBN / May 30th, 2012