It was a day out for expectant mothers even as they got an opportunity to get themselves screened at the block Primary Health Centre (PHC), Kelambakkam.
Staff of the Saidapet Health Unit Division (HUD), especially the village health nurses, brought 109 pregnant women, who are expecting their babies in one or two months from now, for a screening camp and food mela, recently.
S. Rajasekaran, deputy director of health services of the HUD, said the camp was aimed at motivating pregnant women to come to government institutions for delivery and creating awareness on the facilities available in the primary health centres, and thereby prevent maternal and infant deaths.
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“We also told them on what to do in case of an emergency. After the camp, we gave them a nutritious meal,” he said.
The pregnant women were from areas in and around the Kelambakkam PHC, including Muttukadu, Navalur, Kovalam, Mambakkam, Pudupakkam and Chengammal. “About 48 per cent of these women are expecting their babies next month, while the expected date of delivery for the remaining women is in July and August,” he added.
Blood investigations , including for blood sugar, and urine analysis was done for the women. Ultrasound scanning was also done. A gynaecologist was roped in for the screening. “Of the 109 women, 19 will undergo caesarean section. This decision is based on a physical examination and scan. This includes women who had undergone caesarean for a previous delivery, short stature and women who became pregnant after 30 years,” Dr. Rajasekaran said.
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In 2013-2014, 352 normal deliveries, 63 caesarean sections and 293 tubectomies were performed at the Kelambakkam PHC. He said there were plans to conduct such programmes in other PHCs in the HUD. There are a total of 25 PHCs in the HUD.