Punjab Expands Technology-Driven Maternal Care to Lower Mortality Rate

Punjab is taking significant steps to enhance women’s healthcare by expanding technological interventions aimed at reducing the state’s Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR). Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh announced this initiative during a recent workshop focusing on “Tech Interventions for Maternal Mortality Reduction.” This event, held under the auspices of Mission Tandrust Punjab, aims to integrate proven technologies across government health facilities.

Currently, Punjab’s MMR stands at 95 deaths per 100,000 live births, exceeding the national average of 88. Dr Singh emphasized the importance of adopting best clinical practices among healthcare professionals to reach the sustainable development goal of lowering the MMR to 70. He urged all medical officers to prioritize healthcare for pregnant women, highlighting the significance of nutritional guidance and early health monitoring.

Leveraging Technology for Better Outcomes

The workshop was organized by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST), in collaboration with AIIMS Bathinda and the Punjab Department of Health and Family Welfare. During the event, Er Pritpal Singh, Executive Director of PSCST, noted that pilot projects introducing Non-Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garments (NASG) and Uterine Balloon Tamponade (UBT) in twelve districts have successfully saved over 300 mothers suffering from critical post-partum hemorrhage (PPH).

Dr Aditi Salaria, Director of Health Services (Family Welfare) in Punjab, reinforced the need for early identification of danger signs and standardized referral protocols. She called on gynaecologists and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) to adopt these initiatives with a focused approach, ensuring timely medical interventions.

Training and Collaboration for Effective Implementation

Project Leaders Dr Lajya Devi Goyal, Dean of Research at AIIMS Bathinda, and Dr Dapinder Kaur Bakshi, Joint Director of PSCST, shared their insights on implementing these life-saving technologies at the district level. They discussed the availability of necessary devices at delivery points and the hands-on training for healthcare workers, which have contributed to a notable decrease in maternal complications.

The workshop featured presentations from Dr Parneet Kaur of GMC Patiala and Dr Parveen Rajora of GMC Faridkot, who shared their experiences with clinical outcomes in their districts. Attendees received practical training on NASG and UBT, enhancing their skills to better serve mothers in critical need.

The event was attended by various healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and health officials from all 23 districts of Punjab. The collaborative effort reflects the state’s commitment to improving maternal health and reducing fatalities through innovative technological solutions.

As Punjab moves forward with this expansion, the focus remains on leveraging technology to save lives and ensure safe childbirth for all mothers in the region.