Banarpal: An attempt to reduce maternal and infant mortality through the Centre-sponsored Janani Suraksha Yojana has hit roadblocks here in Angul district, as two pregnant women and 49 infants died while 83 children were delivered at homes in a year, a report said.
This has happened despite the Centre and state governments offering assistance to curb maternal and infant mortality by means of institutional delivery.
The implementation of the scheme is limited to conducting awareness programmes, thanks to the apathy of health officials.
Data available from the Banarpal community health centre paints a dismal picture of the implementation of the scheme.
Two pregnant women and 49 infants died between April 2015 and April 2016. While 3,083 newborns were delivered at health centres, 83 were delivered at homes despite the CHC having four primary health centres and 26 sub-health centres under its jurisdiction, reports said.
The government in its bid to induce people to go for institutional delivery has introduced 102-ambulance service and financial assistance for expectant mothers. While many of the health centres lack adequate number of doctors for delivery many of them do not have proper infrastructure for the purpose, the reports said.
Residents of this block have failed to reap the benefits of the scheme due to the indifferent attitude of the district administration and the health department officials.
Besides, the government spending a lot on schemes like Integrated Child Development Schemes has failed to motivate people to go for institutional delivery.
Moreover, ASHA workers and Anganwadi workers who are entrusted with the task of visiting pregnant women and counselling them on proper nutrition and healthcare have also failed to achieve the purpose, it was learnt.
As a result, many a times pregnant women fail to reach hospitals and are forced to deliver at home. PNN
