Maternal Deaths Decline By Over 47% In Odisha’s Sundargarh; ‘Matrujyoti’ Shows The Way

Sundargargh: Maternal deaths in Sundargarh district has shown a decline in the past six months over the previous period.

As per the district health department record, Sundargarh recorded 9 deaths between November 2020 to April 2021 against 19 from May to October 2020. The achievement has been possible under the impact of ‘Matrujyoti’, a mother and child health programme.

Matrujyoti, a flagship programme launched by the district administration, with financial support of District Mineral Foundation, (DMF) offers four times free ultrasound and other tests to every woman during pregnancy. The service launched in November 2020 has shown encouraging signs and is going to be instrumental in curbing Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in the district in the long term.

“The MMR of district Sundargarh is currently 101 (for every one lakh live births), and it has been our constant endeavour to further check the same. The ‘Matrujyoti’ programme has started giving rich dividends in the said direction. Through ultrasound tests, extended under the service, the health condition of pregnant mother and baby in the womb is assessed. Special attention is given to the high risk cases providing proper medical intervention at the right time”, informs Chief District Medical Officer Sundargarh (CDMO), Dr. Saroj Kumar Mishra.

As per the monthly data, from May-October 2020, the maternal mortality cases recorded were 19. However, the number recorded in the next six months, with ‘Matrujyoti’ in force, has come down to 9. Moreover, Zero mother deaths were recorded in January & March 2021.

Under ‘Matrujyoti’, over 28,000 pregnant women of the district are going to get the benefit annually. To achieve these objectives, 7 government hospitals and 45 private clinics have been empanelled by the district administration. Anganwadi and ASHA workers along with Gaon Kalyan Samiti (GKS) members and local community play a vital role behind the success of this programme.

The programme, which was temporarily paused due to COVID is being resumed from July 1. Since its inception, over 19,500 ultrasound tests have been carried out. Similarly, more than 250 high risk cases have been addressed with necessary medical care and advice.