Drop in Institutional Deliveries | 29 May 2020
Why in News
Recently, the data from the states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand has reported a drop in the institutional deliveries.
Key Points
- Current Scenario in Two States:
- Chattisgarh: It has recorded a drop by 15.39 % in April compared to the numbers recorded in March.
- In February 2020, before the lockdown was imposed, the State had recorded 37,984 institutional deliveries . But following the lockdown, the number of institutional deliveries fell to 32,529.
- The State has recorded an increase in the percentage of institutional deliveries from 44.9 to 70.2 between NFHS 3 (2005-06) and NFHS 4 (2015-16).
- Jharkhand: The state had listed 52,000 women for scheduled deliveries in May, out of these only 5.9 % of these were conducted in medical institutions by May 21.
- The State has recorded an increase in the percentage of institutional deliveries from 40.1 % to 61.9 % between NFHS 3 (2005-06) and NFHS 4 (2015-16).
- Chattisgarh: It has recorded a drop by 15.39 % in April compared to the numbers recorded in March.
- Reasons for Drop in Institutional Deliveries:
- The public transport has been majorly affected due to nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus reaching hospitals from villages became difficult.
- The declared Covid-19 hospitals have created a fear of infection and thus people are avoiding physical contacts with the hospitals.
- Many deliveries are being carried out at small private nursing homes to avoid movement and related Covid-19 spread.
- The entire health machinery is battling Covid-19, so non-Covid health services experience a lack of medical staff.
Institutional Deliveries in India
- Description:
- Institutional delivery means giving birth to a child in a medical institution under the overall supervision of trained and competent health personnel.
- It also signifies an availability of amenities to handle the situation and save the life of the mother and child.
- National Scenario:
- Over the past two decades, India has made progress in increasing the number of institutional deliveries.
- According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), institutional deliveries have increased from 39% in 2005-06 to 79% in 2015-16.
- Further, the institutional births in public institutions have increased from 18% to 52% in the same time period.
- Over the past two decades, India has made progress in increasing the number of institutional deliveries.
- Step Taken to Increase Institutional Deliveries:
- Janani Suraksha Yojana : Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme which is being implemented with the objective of reducing maternal and infant mortality by promoting institutional delivery among pregnant women.
- Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): It has been launched to focus on conducting special AnteNatal Check-ups (ANC) check up on 9th of every month with the help of Medical officers to detect and treat cases of anaemia.
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) : It is a maternity benefit programme being implemented in all districts of the country with effect from 1st January, 2017.
- LaQshya Programme : LaQshya (Labour room Quality Improvement Initiative) intended to improve the quality of care in the labour room and maternity operation theatres in public health facilities.
Way Forward
- The entire health machinery is battling Covid-19 but non-Covid health services should not compromise which are the base of the health infrastructure of the country.
- The government should ensure adequate availability of medical staff, emergency medical services such as ambulance, vaccinations, maternity care,etc. to the urban as well as rural areas.
- The balance of the Covid and non-Covid medical services is need of the hour and the government needs to ensure the implementation of the same in the future.