Motherhood is the most cherished phase in a woman’s life. While she has the onus to bring a new life into the world, her body undergoes various hormonal changes and stress. This phase calls for proper nutrition, and efforts to ensure a healthy lifestyle. However, ignorance and negligence by family, life partners and failure to implement policies by the authorities causes huge complications for most pregnant women in our country especially in the rural sector.

The World Health Organisation states nearly 5 women die every hour in India from complications developed during childbirth. Heavy blood loss caused by hemorrhage are the cause of loss for more than 500-1,000 ml of blood within the first 24hrs following childbirth. Among children who die before their fifth birthday, almost one-third of them die of infectious causes, nearly all of which are preventable.

The social determinants for maternal and child mortality include marriage and childbirth at a young age, less spacing between births and low literacy level among women. In particular, those belonging to the urban poor, rural settings and socially-disadvantaged groups. Access to and use of contraceptives, particularly modern, non-permanent contraceptives, and access to safe abortion services influence maternal health and child survival.

A significant proportion of maternal, neonatal and child deaths can be prevented by adopting key health care practices such as prompt seeking of care for pregnancy complications, early initiation of and exclusive breastfeeding, hand-washing and home management of diarrhea. A well-implemented behavior change communication strategy has the potential to significantly improve these practices and consequently accelerate reproductive, maternal, newborn health and child survival.

The capacity of all staff caring for newborns and children at the District Hospital, FRU (First Referral Units), and 24X7 facilities should be enhanced, building on existing training programmes. The quality assurance of all training programmes, innovative training methodology, post-training supportive supervision and hand-holding must be encouraged. Innovative approaches to training and education for RMNCH+A (such as computer-based instruction, self-learning programmes) for rapid, high-quality roll out of training must be encouraged.

The NGOs here can also play a significant role in addressing gaps in information and spreading awareness about RMNCH+A (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health) services, especially in the undeserved and unserved areas. This will address social determinants of health, undertake local advocacy and facilitate interface between the community and the local government. With its innovation capabilities, resources and potential for commercial success, the private sector can be an important partner in the achievement of the health goals.

The private sector can play a crucial role in ensuring that affordable products and services of quality should reach to the ignored parts of the country for achieving results with equity. Public and corporate sectors can also play innovative roles in financing and providing health care services. Active engagement by corporates through the core business and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives needs to be explored for bringing collective impact.

Improving antenatal care in India is crucial for the development of women and improving the health status of the country. Collaborative and sincere efforts of all NGO, Corporates and Government bodies is required to fulfill this goal.

Created By Ankita Singh (Sr. Executive – Content)