In a move to enhance maternal and child health services and reduce maternal mortality, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government in Rajasthan will conduct extensive health screenings for all pregnant women. A five-day statewide campaign is set to commence, focusing on critical antenatal health parameters, maintaining essential prenatal records, and ensuring regular monitoring of pregnant women’s health. The Rajasthan Medical and Health Department Principal Secretary, Gayatri Rathore, issued directives for the screening initiative during a video conference.
Officials emphasized the importance of conducting the screening drive with sensitivity and seriousness through ASHA workers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), and Community Health Officers (CHOs). Accountability measures will be implemented for healthcare workers in case of negligence related to antenatal check-ups and screenings of pregnant women. Various departments and officials, including the Medical Education Department and National Health Mission, participated in a virtual meeting to discuss the initiative’s implementation.
Principal Secretary Rathore highlighted the significance of quality healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period, stating that every maternal death is a serious concern. Timely identification and management of High-Risk Pregnancies (HRPs) are crucial in preventing maternal deaths. She stressed the need for prompt registration of pregnancies and the importance of regular Antenatal Care (ANC) check-ups, including essential investigations like blood pressure, haemoglobin, and blood sugar.
