GMC Aurangabad: Respectable maternity program studied by central team

Aurangabad: Shrinivas Gadappa, OBGY, Department Head, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has revealed the center’s intention to develop the college as a model institute for providing respectable maternity care.

Dinesh Baswal, Deputy Commissioner Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, led the team on Wednesday, that took stock of the various initiatives being undertaken in the obstetrics, neonatology, and gynaecology department, including the workings of the maternity charter.

Baswal while appreciating the hospital’s maternity care efforts said that despite looking after a large area the hospital had succeeded in carrying out respectable maternity care work. “We will study its implementation at GMCH Aurangabad before introducing its other medical facilities across the country,” he told TOI.

The focus of the country has been to reduce maternity mortality rate and maternal morbidity, However, the very concept of respectful maternity is new.

The Pioneer organization called ‘The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood’, internationally, has released a charter on the ‘Universal Rights of Childbearing Women’ to understand and speak on issues related to disrespect and abuse among women seeking maternity care.

“The charter comprises of seven rights including freedom from harm and ill-treatment, right to information, informed consent and refusal, and respect for choices and preferences including companionship during maternity care, confidentiality, privacy, dignity and respect, equality, freedom from discrimination, equitable care, right to timely healthcare and to the highest attainable level of health and Liberty, autonomy, self-determination, and freedom from coercion,” Gaddapa said while making a presentation before Baswal, reported TOI.

A respectable maternity care (RMC) program was introduced at the GMCH over a year ago with the joint efforts of United Nations Population Fund, Centre for Enquiry into Health and Allied Themes, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences and Directorate of Medical Education and Research. This was followed by the concept of respectful maternity being included in the UG curriculum and clinical practice.

“Lack of manpower, increased workload, deficiency of supplies & consumables are some of the key challenges for implementation of the programme,” said Gadappa.

To overcome these challenges, GMCH, Dean, Kanan Yelikar, has proposed a 200-bedded Maternal and Child Health Wing.