JAIPUR: In a decisive move to strengthen maternal and child healthcare in the state, Chief Secretary V. Srinivas has directed health officials to prepare a name-wise list of all high-risk pregnant women and strictly map them with Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and Community Health Officers (CHOs) for continuous monitoring.
Chairing a comprehensive review meeting on maternal and child health activities via video conferencing at Swasthya Bhawan on Sunday, the Chief Secretary instructed all Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHOs) and District Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Officers to conduct mandate meetings with ANMs every Monday morning. These meetings will focus on reviewing the line lists of high-risk cases to ensure timely medical interventions and the seamless availability of referral services.
Strict Adherence to Medical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
During the VC, which included superintendents and gynecology department heads from medical colleges across Rajasthan, Srinivas reviewed the status of normal and cesarean deliveries over the past 24 hours. He unequivocally directed that every hospital must strictly follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for deliveries and other medical operations.
Medical experts briefed the administration on crucial operational standards, including labor room protocols, infection control, anesthesia, biomedical waste management, and cold chain management. The Chief Secretary emphasized that lactating mothers must be kept under intensive monitoring for the first 24 hours post-delivery, with proper attention given to their nutritional requirements.
Targeted Action for Severe Anemia and High-Risk Districts
Reviewing recent health campaigns, it was noted that the highest number of high-risk pregnant women in July were identified in Sikar, Nagaur, Jalore, Banswara, and Churu districts.
Taking serious note of severe anemia cases, Srinivas issued specific guidelines for pregnant women with a hemoglobin count of 6 grams or less who are approaching their due dates. He instructed officials to ensure immediate blood transfusions, FCM injections, or iron sucrose insertions on alternate days to stabilize their condition before delivery.
The concerned ANM must physically examine these women every third day. Furthermore, the CMHOs and RCHOs have been tasked with maintaining direct, name-wise tracking of such critical cases at the district level.
Comprehensive Birth Planning and Documentation
Principal Secretary of Health and Medical Education, Smt. Gayatri Rathore, stressed the necessity of comprehensive birth planning to ensure safe deliveries. She highlighted the importance of selecting the appropriate hospital based on the specific health condition of the mother, maintaining clarity on the expected delivery date, and managing referral logistics well in advance. Rathore also mandated that all medical details on the expectant mother’s “Mamta Card” must be filled out completely and in clear, legible language.
The crucial review meeting was attended by key health officials, including Medical Education Commissioner Babulal Goyal, SMS Medical College Principal Dr. Deepak Maheshwari, Director of Public Health Dr. Ravi Prakash Sharma, Additional Mission Director NHM Dr. T. Shubhamangala, and RCH Director Dr. Madhu Rateshwar.
