Antenatal healthcare
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Social Justice-Health
Source: Th
Context:
Researchers have recommended that oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) used to determine if a pregnant woman has developed gestational diabetes should be replaced by an HbA1c test that can also be used at the point of care .
About Antenatal / Prenatal healthcare:
Antenatal healthcare refers to the medical and healthcare services provided to a pregnant woman throughout her pregnancy. The primary goals of antenatal care are to ensure the health and well-being of both the mother and the developing foetus.
Key components of antenatal healthcare:
• Regular Check-ups and Screening tests
• Nutritional Guidance
• Health Education
• Management of Pregnancy Symptoms
• Monitoring for Complications like gestational diabetes
• Emotional Support
Government initiatives for pregnant women:
• Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), a demand promotion and conditional cash transfer scheme for promoting institutional delivery.
• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) entitles every pregnant woman to free delivery, including for c-section, in public health institutions along with the provision of free transport, diagnostics, medicines, other consumables, diet and blood.
• Over 25,000 ‘Delivery Points’ across the country have been strengthened in terms of infrastructure, equipment, and trained manpower for provision of comprehensive Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) services.
• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides pregnant women a fixed day, free of cost assured and quality Antenatal Care on the 9th day of every month.
• LaQshya (Labour room Quality improvement Initiative) to improve the quality of care in Labour room and Maternity operation theatres to ensure that pregnant women receive respectful and quality care during delivery and immediate postpartum.
Challenges with maternal Healthcare in India:
• Maternal mortality rate: A United Nations report highlighted that India was among the top 10 countries responsible for 60% of global maternal deaths, stillbirths, and new-born deaths. In 2020, India accounted for over 17% of such deaths, making it the second-highest contributor after Nigeria.
• Antenatal care (ANC): Only 34.1% of mothers attended one, two, or three visits, falling short of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendation of four visits.
• Postnatal care: 16% of women in India did not receive any postnatal health check-ups, while 22.8% experienced delayed check-ups occurring two days after childbirth.
• Lack of skilled health providers: 8% of Indian women did not receive tetanus shots, which are crucial for preventing infections during and after surgery. In about 11% of cases, no skilled health providers were present at the time of delivery, posing risks in detecting and managing complications.