Bangalore :
In a first of its kind initiative in the state, here’s some good news for moms-to-be. Karnataka is gearing up to introduce the free pick-up-and-drop facility for pregnant women to reduce high infant and maternal mortality rates in the state. The scheme will be open to women who avail of services in government hospitals.
Though the Centre had launched this scheme a year ago on a cost-sharing basis with states under the National Rural Health Mission, the BJP government here failed to implement it for lack of funds and political reasons.
The Congress government, with an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, has decided to pursue this scheme on priority. “We have sought tenders for buying equipment, vehicles, among other things. Hopefully the scheme will be implemented in two months,” said M Madan Gopal, principal secretary of health and family welfare department.
Senior health officer M Raju said the scheme will help women from villages who find it difficult to reach hospitals on time due to factors like unavailability of vehicles and cash crunch.
WHAT’S THE SCHEME
As per the scheme, the health department will station its vehicles at strategic points. Based on a woman’s expected date of delivery, she will be taken to the nearest primary health centre or delivery point. She will be provided with food, medical and recreational facilities. Once she recuperates after delivery, the vehicle will drop her back home. The entire service, including the stay and food, is free of cost.
HOW IT WORKS
“All information about pregnant women, including their contact numbers, will be registered during their anti-natal period. The vehicle will be sent to their residence a day or two prior to the delivery date, depending on the woman’s condition. An SMS reminder will be sent to the family members before the day of pick-up, to help them prepare for the hospital stay,” Madan Gopal said.
The department will introduce the vehicles keeping in mind the area (terrain) and population.
MOBILITY MATTERS
On an average, at least 5 of 1,000 infant deaths (infant mortality rate) occur due to non-availability of transport to reach primary health centres. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is also around 180 per lakh. Karnataka hopes the pick-up-and-drop facility will improve institutional delivery of babies from 55% in 2010, to more than 90%.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah, who recently reviewed the government’s health schemes, directed the health and family welfare department to make Karnataka’s IMR the lowest in the country within five years. The state currently ranks 10th on the national IMR index.
Times View
This is another social welfare scheme that seems high in intention but low in practicability. That it had been put in the cold storage for want of funds only underlines this. First, the government should ensure there are enough primary healthcare centres, especially in rural areas. Second, it should ensure these are manned and well-equipped. In a country where women deliver babies outside government hospitals due to lack of beds, it seems a little daunting and implausible that women will be accorded the time and space the scheme envisages.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Primary Health Centre / by Manu Aiyappa, TNN / October 09th, 2013