Workshop discusses ?safe motherhood?

IN A first of its kind attempt by the Government, a two-day workshop was held here on ?Safe Motherhood? aimed at discussing problems and formulating ways to reduce maternal mortality rate (MMR) in Madhya Pradesh by 50 per cent by 2010.

IN A first of its kind attempt by the Government, a two-day workshop was held here on ‘Safe Motherhood’ aimed at discussing problems and formulating ways to reduce maternal mortality rate (MMR) in Madhya Pradesh by 50 per cent by 2010.

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“The MMR in Kerala is just 60 whereas, it is 407 in Madhya Pradesh. Why should there be such disparity in a single country, which has almost similar health set up across all States? It reflects factors like State Government policies, illiteracy, population growth and lack of awareness,” Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) north zone coordinator Dr Sunanda Jain said here on Friday.

The workshop, which was aimed at exchange of knowledge and cutting edge information among senior practicing doctors and budding gynaecologists, was attended by about 220 people from the medical fraternity, 70 per cent of them PG students.

Elaborating on various topics discussed at the workshop during two days, Prof and HoD of Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology Dr Laxmi Maru, who was the main organiser, said, “We are basically equipping field and grassroots practitioners with advanced knowledge and latest techniques. Now, the onus lies on the Government to come up with suitable policies and practical programmes.”

The participants were informed about and asked to identify the various risk factors involved in safe motherhood and urged to refer serious cases to proper authorities without delay.

“This would go a long way in reducing maternal mortality as most of the time, the expecting mother reaches a proper gynaec, she is on the verge of dying or many times dead,” Dr Maru said.

Participants, who spoke about practical problems were suggested ways to overcome them. They were also asked to train subordinate and para-medical staff to improve health care delivery at the grassroots level.

Earlier on Thursday, speaking as a special invitee, chairman of national ‘Safe Motherhood Committee’ Dr Shirish Patwardhan from Pune emphasised on public participation in overall improvement of the healthcare delivery system.

Not just doctors and Government agencies, but patients themselves were also responsible, he said, adding, “awareness level has to be increased at individual level so as to contribute to a healthier India.”

Divisional Commissioner Ashok Das was also present at the inaugural session along with Jt Director (Health) Dr S K Shrivastava and CHMO Dr K K Vijayvergiya.

For the first time lecture-demos were given using adult and paediatric mannequins. The lectures covered Government initiatives, policies, trends in maternal care, post & antenatal care, practical problems and difficult situations at rural health units and other motherhood/pregnancy related issues.

During the concluding ceremony, a post-CME evaluation was done during which suggestions and feedback was taken from participants and problems and solutions were discussed regarding maternal mortality.