11th April : School of Public Health, PGIMER in collaboration with Chandigarh Health Administration celebrated “Safe Motherhood Day” at their Maternal and Child Health centre at Polyclinic, Sector-45 today with about 100 pregnant and lactating mothers. The celebrations started with the welcome address by Dr. Krishna Chaudhary, SMO In-charge, Polyclinic Sector-45. Dr. Madhu Gupta, Assistant Professor of Community Medicine, School of Public Health, PGIMER told that about 215 pregnant women die per lakh live births every year in India, and most of these deaths are preventable.
Bleeding after delivery is the most common cause of maternal deaths, hence all deliveries should be conducted in hospitals. She told about the danger signs during pregnancy like bursting of water bag, vaginal bleeding, convulsions, very high fever and severe anaemia. Occurrence of these symptoms should be immediately reported to a nearby hospital. Importance of delivery in hospitals with blood bank facility was demonstrated by role play by Dr. Navpreet, Dr. Madhanraj and colleagues.
The audience responded enthusiastically during the discussion after the role play. Sh. Ram Singh Saini, Social worker from local area enlightened the audience about various facilities available for pregnant women like free ambulance service by dialing 108, Rs 4000 available under Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojna and free delivery with care of the newborn under Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakarm.