The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Now more women come to Corporation health posts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 04, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Now more women come to Corporation health posts

Staff Reporter

Level of confidence in obstetric care has increased, says Commissioner

CHENNAI : The number of caesarean deliveries as well sterilisations performed at the Chennai Corporation health posts have been on the increase in the past three years.

Officials and doctors of the civic agency say that the numbers are an indication of the growing confidence in the health posts, especially among the economically backward sections.

According to the budget tabled at the Corporation Council on Wednesday, the number of caesarean deliveries last year was 1,682 of a total of 13,031. In 2002, the number of caesarean deliveries was just 215.

Chennai Corporation has 93 health posts in the city, including 36 in-patient wards, 13 operation theatres and two 24-hour maternity clinics.

Corporation Commissioner M.P.Vijayakumar said the rise in caesarean deliveries was indicative of how women in labour were willing to persist with the services offered at the Corporation health posts. "We have managed to change the situation where people moved out in case of complications. The change has been possible through systemic improvements over the last three years."

Over the last three years, the Corporation has revamped its health posts with special attention to obstetrics care. It converted its health posts at Perumalpet in Purasawalkam and Saidapet into 24-hour maternity centres.

It also implemented the "birth companion scheme" at the centres, where a midwife was allowed to accompany the woman in labour.

Apart from the caesarean deliveries, the number of medical termination of pregnancies and family planning measures has also been on the rise.

The number of abortions and family planning measures has increased from 1,856 in 2002 to 3,175 last year.

Mr.Vijayakumar said Corporation doctors were asked not to turn back valid cases for abortions. "We wanted to prevent women turning to quacks as it happens in most cases we turn back. Such a situation can also be dangerous to the women."

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