A comprehensive pregnancy surveillance mechanism being implemented through the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project (TNHSP) has brought down maternal mortality in Madurai district this year.
Armed with an interventional action plan starting from pregnancy till delivery, special screening camps are being conducted under the name ‘high risk mother tracking system.’
After conducting about 40 screening camps in the last six months in 13 blocks, public health authorities are now seeing positive results. From 68 maternal deaths in 2010-11, the number has come down to 28 (till date) in 2014-15.
“We are seeing a positive outcome due to the tracking system. Madurai district has been in high risk category for several years but the situation is changing. The declining number is an indication of improvement,” S. Natarajan, District Programme Officer, TNHSP, told The Hindu on Wednesday.
Expectant mothers found to carry risk factors such as severe anaemia are kept under close observation of gynaecologists. Iron tablets and nutrition guidance are given from the early stage of pregnancy. If a woman is under high-risk category, she is admitted in Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care Centre one week before the expected date of delivery.
Dr. Natarajan said that constant follow-up by village health nurses and other field staff yielded good results in preventing complications.
The direct link established between ‘108’ ambulance service and the pregnant woman’s family members was helping in attending to complications or emergency cases besides taking them to hospital in time for delivery.
If a woman dies during pregnancy or at the time of delivery or within a period of six weeks after delivery, it is maternal death.
