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Nagpur, India, July 20, 2022 -- Gadchiroli district is soon set to have a unique facility for pregnant women, especially those in high risk category. A dedicated call centre-cum-helpline will be set up for them.

Sources stated that UNICEF is helping the district health department to develop the facility which would also cater to infants below one year.The health department and UNICEF joined hands with a view to alleviate the plight of pregnant women in the backward district which is aggravated by their unawareness, traditional mindset and remoteness of their hamlets that are often 25-30 from the nearest health facilities.

The facility, which is still in a formative stage, is likely to come up at Gadchiroli city from where a trained set of manpower would operate the system.

In the past, there have been numerous instances in which women from the remote district delivered under trees during monsoon, in forested stretches and on the road while on the way to health facilities.

Two data analysts and five telecallers would be appointed to make the system operationalized. "A database of pregnant women would be created having names, address, contact number and their other details. Telecallers would start communicating with pregnant women, especially in high-risk category having some health complications, and with mothers of babies under one year," said district health officer, Gadchiroli, Dr Dawal Salve.

Dr Salve said the two main focus areas of the project would be linkages or creating communication bridge and follow-ups.

The health official also stated the telecallers would regularly communicate with the high risk pregnant mothers to collect information about their health, visits to doctors, availability of ambulances, experience at the health facilities, follow-ups and any other grievances. "The telecallers would alert the pregnant women about their check-up dates, counsel them to seek medical assistance and follow the drug regime. The tribal women have deep faith in their family institutions based on their old traditions and not supported by scientific approaches," said the official.

Local Asha workers would also be alerted about the health of pregnant women for constant monitoring. "Focus would be on ensuring that the rate of institutional deliveries increases and mortality rates goes down," said Dr Salve adding that the grievances would be also addressed.

"We will also intervene ff the pregnant mothers are not happy with the treatment. A lactation expert too has been roped in for counselling the mothers and motivate them for breastfeeding," said the official.

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Posted by Veronica Silva Cusi, news correspondent
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Date Posted: Thursday, July 21, 2022