Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today said that the maternal deaths have come down over 35 per cent in the last six months compared to previous year.
Informing that the State Health Policy 2021 has identified maternal mortality to be of a major concern, with 248 maternal deaths in 2020-21, he said that the Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood scheme (CM-SMS) aims to supplement the ongoing initiatives for bringing down the maternal mortality in an accelerated manner.
Speaking at the inauguration of a transit home at Asanang under Rongram block in West Garo Hills district, which is part of the scheme, he said the government has accorded priority on care for pregnant mother through the programme.
He said that the safe motherhood scheme aims at increasing institutional deliveries and reducing maternal deaths to a minimum and to create a full 350 degree support for mothers.
Eighty PHCs have already completed setting up transit homes in the State while 84 PHCs have arranged for vehicle support and a total of 36 crores has been earmarked for the scheme by dovetailing other programs including JSY and JSSK as well, he said.
The CM-SMS has four main components with setting up transit home for high risk mothers and to provide them food and space for their kids. To arrange transport involving local entrepreneurs for pick up and drop of mothers and their family members, to encourage husbands or family members to accompany the mother and stay with them – wage compensation up to Rs.1, 000 per person. The scheme also awards for best performing village under each PHC – once in a year.
The Chief Minister further also said that with the infant mortality rate at 29 points against national average of 28 for 2020-21, the government will strive to bring it down soon.
