Records of over 1 lakh pregnant Rajasthan women reviewed to ensure quality antenatal care: Officials

Jaipur, Jul 16 (PTI) Rajasthan's Medical and Health Department has reviewed the records of more than one lakh pregnant women during the first two days of a five-day statewide intensive screening campaign aimed at ensuring timely and quality antenatal care, officials said on Thursday. The records of 1,06,264 pregnant women were reviewed, including a detailed review of 15,504 high-risk pregnancies, Principal Health Secretary Gayatri Rathore said. The campaign was launched following the recent death of 19 women in hospitals in Kota, Bikaner, Bhilwara and Banswara. Rathore said that 6,794 pregnant women were also verified in real-time across the state to assess the quality of maternal healthcare services being provided. She said that the campaign is being monitored at the district, block and field levels by health officials, including chief medical and health officers, district reproductive and child health officers, block chief medical and health officers, medical officers and ASHA supervisors. Rathore said that the drive is being carried out with the support of 10,049 community health officers, 22,355 auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and 54,431 ASHA workers deployed across villages and remote hamlets. According to the official, 3,808 health institutions were inspected and assessed for service quality during the first two days. The inspections covered maternal and child health services, antenatal care, record maintenance and overall service delivery, following which corrective measures were directed wherever deficiencies were found. "The campaign focuses on ensuring 100 per cent antenatal registration, at least four antenatal check-ups for every pregnant woman, timely identification and follow-up of high-risk pregnancies, effective referrals and safe institutional deliveries," she said. PTI SDA KSS KSS