It comes as no surprise that Tamil Nadu has once again been applauded for its “excellent” maternal and child-care services by the Common Review Mission of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Suffice it to say that at a time when 99 per cent of global maternal mortality occurs in developing regions of the world, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra have become pockets that have bucked the trend. Even as India has been reducing its maternal mortality ratio — defined as the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births — the rate of reduction, from 380 in 1993 to 97 during 2007-2009, has been rapid in the case of Tamil Nadu. So much so that Tamil Nadu, along with Kerala (81) and Maharashtra (104), has already achieved the Millennium Development Goal of 109 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2015. Compare this with the national average — an MMR of 212 for 2007-2009, which is more than double the MDG target. The State has been able to accomplish this by taking up a multi-pronged approach. First, it has equipped all health-care settings, starting with the 1,612 primary health-care centres, with trained staff nurses available round the clock and all essentials required for safe deliveries. Second, it has through innovative and women-friendly initiatives ensured that most deliveries take place in health-care settings. According to a recent survey by the University of Delhi, institutional deliveries are as high as 99 per cent in Tamil Nadu. The national average is about 73 per cent.
More than the very high percentage of institutional deliveries, what is more significant is the percentage of deliveries taking place in government-run institutions. Nearly 67 per cent of deliveries take place in government institutions, compared to 33 per cent in the private sector. The PHCs alone account for 27 per cent; it was about seven per cent in 2005. In fact, today, PHCs face a demand-side pressure. Compare this with Kerala — where the private sector accounts for roughly 60 per cent of deliveries. The primary reason why women in Tamil Nadu are flocking to government facilities is the changed nature of health-care services being provided. As many as 105 PHCs in the State have the facilities to conduct C-sections and store blood, and their main focus is maternal and child heath care. Women-friendly services like screening and appropriate intervention for gestational diabetes, hypertension and anaemia have had a magnetic effect. But the most critical contributor has been the strong and continued importance accorded to health-care services by whichever political party is in power.
Keywords: Tamil Nadu NHRM, Common Review Mission, Tamil Nadu rural health, health sector performance, public health care
1.Being a doctor from Karnataka, I am sorry to say that being a
neighbor of Tamil Nadu and having seen doctors from there praising the
administration for excellent support to achieve this important cause
for our mothers and children of the future, the same did not happen in
Karnataka.
2. From the Karnataka Govt dept of health website it is clear that
there are more number of bureaucratic positions in the dept of family
welfare and health than the total number of district hospitals in the
state.
3. Maternal mortality is 228 per one lakh deliveries in karnataka
double that of tamil nadu! and Kerala!.
4. Medical Colleges which run the business of degree dispensing for
money have not succeeded in taking over the district hospitals and
giving better care.
5. More over the medical staff went on strike to get the many district
hospitals delinked from the medical education dept.
6. Nurses were stopped from jobs because they asked for better pay.
7. it is time to change in karnataka.
Congratulations To The Tamil Nadu Government For Their Success And Hats
Off To The Efforts Of People Of The State Who Made This Achievement.
Other State Should Learn From This And Perform Well In The Field Of
Public Welfare And Development.
It appears to be wondering how a state like Tamilnadu has overcome such a frustrating trend with all its effort from the better functionary of projects. This achievement has proved a ray of hope for the women empowerment where women are given full support and protection, and all care at the time of childbirth. Scrolling the data of child birth mortality shows that women are not provided better facility during their pregnancy and at the time of childbirth. The lack of infrastructure has a precedent of this kind of misfortune.
Tamilnadu as an ideal state should be followed by other state governments bringing all possible efforts together to curb the childbirth mortality.They should follow its footstep to make the society friendly for women. The women should not be fixed as object of sexual need. The further empowerment should be awarded to them too make them more inclusive in the society giving them real equal right and liberty.
It is very heartening to know that the PHCs are facing a demand-side
pressure in TN. It is really something which deserves a lot of
appreciation from the entire country.These states have crossed the MDG
targets well before time shows that they mean business and they are
very proactive and concerned about these serious issues plaguing the
society of ours
Equally remarkable is the critical contribution of political parties
.This shows the level of maturity on their behalf.These achievements
dares us to think of an utopian society.The other state governments
and the governments of other countries who are lagging behind must
take lessons because these problems concern without borders.
Many Salutes to the silent efforts of all the people who achieved this feat. Such are the stories that need to be shown on Prime Time!.
It again proves the age old saying Where there is a will there is a way.
Really, the achievement of southern states in the realm of health
sector is noteworthy. The government of India has launched extensive
health care programme for achieving the Millennium Development Goals
by 2015, but the release of recent statistics from the field of health
care depicts a gloomy picture. The good job done by the southern
states of India will surely help in streamlining the health care
services delivery in the others states of India specially the Hindi
speaking belt as you would be surprised to know that our north eastern
region of the country.
The target of achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 is a
achievable target and our country can achieve this provided all the
state government try to achieve it in a co-ordinated manner. The
allocation of increased fund for the health sector in 12th five year
plan will surely give a further boost to states in designing the
strategies for achieving the goals of total health for all in a time
bound manner.
Insurmountable mission so far National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Definetly Laudable.
just goes to show what can be achieved when the 2 major political
parties in TN, which tend to govern the state on alternate terms, have a
unified policy on all the projects and schemes critical to the
development of the state. What we see instead is vendetta politics,
where the governing party is opposed to the ongoing projects initiated
by the previous government - secretariat building, library, mono rails,
sethu samudram... the list of affected projects is endless
such model should be followed by BIMARU states like MP,UP etc.Private
hospitals provide better services than government hospitals,poor people
approach only government hospitals or local health center which are less
equipped so maximum deaths of child and mothers are reported from
them.until and unless the standard of government hospitals are not
improved,the real success in health parameter can not be achieved...
Planning commission should learn some lessons on how public health care
works in a country with predominantly rural population rather than
suggesting the state a way out by privatizing it. Motive of good
governance will work better than the profit seeking attitude of private
players.
" If health is lost, everything is lost."
Efforts of Tamil Nadu in this regard is very commendable. It has
transformed a long way in health sector. It is a open fact that good
health sector acts as complementary to the development. Other state
governments should take Tamil Nadu as an example and improve their
health sectors not for the sake of political gains but for the welfare
of the people.
It is good to note that TN Govt has reduced maternal mortality rate.
While we feel happy for this, it is sad to note that the TASMAC shops
are flourishing all over TN which is resulting in many widows
particularly in villages. TN should take note of this without taking
consideration of vote bank and help increasing the health of public in
general but not limiting to reducing Maternal mortality rate.
Finally something to cheer about. This shows if efforts are made then we
can improve on social front also. Though India is moving ahead in
economic sector yet we are far behind in the social sector. Even a small
steps like this will lead us to our destination of utopia society
Health is wealth.With an average working population greater than 15 BUT less than 59 ,we can change the world.
this type of indicators show the real development in the living standards of the people, i would rather say increase in "Human development Index".
Indeed, it serves a great model.
Reaching the MDG way beyond the target dates set is really a commendable job!!!
NRHM is one of the golden welfare programme of government .among all the states
government has done fabulous job in primary healthcare service. I hope rest of the states
will follow the footstep that was followed by tamilnadu government.
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