Lucknow, July 20: The Uttar Pradesh government has made a significant achievement in maternal and newborn health. Over the past three months, all deliveries in 16 districts have taken place in health institutions. Notably, there have been no recorded non-institutional (home or other locations) deliveries in these districts during this period.
This accomplishment by the Yogi government is seen as a result of improved access to health services, increased public awareness, and coordinated efforts by health workers aimed at promoting safe motherhood.
Dr. Pinky Jewel, Director of the National Health Mission, stated that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s goal is to provide quality maternal health services to every pregnant woman. To achieve this, maternity services at district women’s hospitals, community health centers, and primary health centers are being continuously strengthened. This includes enhancing the availability of essential equipment, trained personnel, and medications, as well as improving referral systems.
She expressed optimism that if the rate of institutional deliveries continues, it will further reduce maternal mortality rates (MMR) and neonatal mortality rates (NMR). This could set a new benchmark for Uttar Pradesh in achieving safe motherhood and healthy newborns.
According to data from HMIS, between April and June, there were no non-institutional deliveries recorded in Gorakhpur, Deoria, Azamgarh, Varanasi, Amethi, Ayodhya, Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Ghazipur, Shamli, Ghaziabad, Hathras, Etawah, Mahoba, and Kaushambi. Joint Director Dr. Shalu Gupta noted that continuous efforts have been made over the past few years to promote institutional deliveries.
Timely registration of pregnant women, regular antenatal check-ups, identification of high-risk pregnancies, outreach by ASHA workers, availability of ambulance services, and schemes related to Janani Suraksha and maternity benefits have encouraged women to deliver in health institutions.
Senior gynecologist Dr. Chandravati believes that institutional deliveries are the most effective way to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates. The presence of trained doctors and nursing staff in hospitals, emergency obstetric services, immediate newborn care, blood availability, and referral systems significantly increase the chances of saving both mother and child in complex situations.
Health department officials assert that this achievement is not merely a result of institutional capacity but also reflects the growing awareness in the community and the relentless efforts of frontline health workers. ASHA, ANM, and Anganwadi workers have maintained regular contact with pregnant women, prepared families ahead of the expected delivery date, and played a crucial role in ensuring timely hospital access.
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