Drop In Institutional Deliveries – Economics

Table of Contents

Recently, the data from the states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand has reported a drop in the institutional deliveries.

CURRENT SCENARIO

Chattisgarh:
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).

The public transport has been majorly affected due to nationwide lockdown. 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 delivery m eans 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.

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.
The institutional births in public institutions have increased from 18% to 52% in the same time period.

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 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.
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.

The entire health machinery is battling Covid-19 but non-Covid health services should not be compromised.
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.