Lapses found in post-natal and newborn care, only 24% round-the-clock health centres started

Disproving the Gujarat government’s claims of improving health indicators in the State, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in its report tabled in the State Assembly on Friday, revealed that maternal mortality rate (MMR) has been rising in the State since 2014, up from 72 in 2013-14 to 85 in 2015-16 per lakh.

“The State government data indicated that the MMR changed unfavourably from 72 in the year 2013-14 to 80 in 2014-15 and finally to 85 in 2015-16.

Missing target

Considering the pace and direction of achievement of the goals, it would be difficult for the State to achieve the target of 67 by March 2017,” the report noted.

According to the auditor, implementation of the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), a Central government scheme, did not help in achieving the MMR goals in the State.

The report stated that 15,817 newborns died in the State within the first week of birth owing to various lapses on the part of the health department in providing prescribed care and treatment to the newborns.

Audit report

The audit further revealed that the State was required to operationalise 50% Primary Health Centres (PHCs) as 24/7 PHCs by 2010 but as of August 2016, only 24% PHCs were operationalised as 24/7 PHCs.

“During 2013-16, 56% home deliveries were performed in the absence of skilled birth attendants, while a minimum stay of 48 hours after normal delivery for the better care and treatment of mother and child was not ensured as, after delivery, 53% to 60% women had been discharged with less than 48 hours of hospitalisation,” the report said.

Denied treatment

In Bhuj, as many as 75 sick newborn babies were denied treatment and were not admitted to the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) due to the lack of adequate facilities and manpower.

“There were instances of deaths of women and infants due to the non-availability of blood at health centres,” the report noted.