Rajasthan Government’s new weapon Chirayu aims at curbing infant deaths & promotes superior pre/post pregnancy maternal care at hospitals…
Premature deaths, pneumonia, asphyxia, malnutrition, deficiency, genetics and birth complications: multiple factors cause neonatal mortality or infant deaths in hospitals. Currently, the Infant Mortality Rate or IMR in Rajasthan is 41 deaths per 1,000 live births. It means about 41 infants die before they turn one year old. But that isn’t all! Government hospital records state that on an average, 32 infants die within a month of their birth—a worrisome issue for families as well as the government. The shocking facts were revealed in a health survey conducted by the Centre.
Rajasthan health department has set new goals to meet this challenge. According to Ms. Veenu Gupta (Principal Secretary, Rajasthan Health Department), high NMR (Neonatal Mortality Rate) prevailing in Rajasthan needs to be checked before the situation turns worse. The health officers are targeting to sculpt it down to 12 deaths/1000 live births by 2030.
Chirayu: A scheme that entails a powerful punchline—“Nanhi Jaan, Humari Shaan” (Our kids, Our Pride) will help hospitals reduce neonatal mortalities in Rajasthan. Chirayu action plan will target districts that have highest infant mortality rate in Rajasthan. So far, 8 districts—Udaipur, Dholpur, Sawai Madhopur, Barmer, Sirohi, Karauli, Jalore and Rajsamand have been indentified under this scheme.
The districts already have 13 SNCUs (Sick Newborn Care Units), 47 NBSUs (Newborn Stabilization Units) and 556 NBCCs (Newborn Care Corners), yet they’ve failed to check infant deaths due to shortage of facilities. Following the new action plan, Rajasthan government will boost existing healthcare services for pregnant women, fetus and newborns at these centers to prevent birth complications.
The health officers have been instructed to improve basic infrastructure in 8 districts identified under Chirayu. Further, they’ll strengthen human resources and service delivery to promote better neonate and maternal care. The priorities on their To-Do-List contain:
• Improving existing facilities in neonate units,
• Adding new and advanced equipment to delivery room,
• Including referral services,
• Making room for suggestions,
• Generating awareness on child care and delivery,
• Hiring healthcare staff capable in dealing with extreme situations.
Chirayu effectively targets all the problem-causing areas that lead to mother and infant deaths. If implemented properly, the action plan will help Rajasthan government accomplish it targets before 2030.
