Jaipur: Concerns over maternal care protocols in Rajasthan have heightened as four pregnant women remain on ventilator support at two govt hospitals linked to Jodhpur Medical College. This follows a series of critical delivery-related cases, including the death of one woman Monday. Three others are facing severe complications after caesarean deliveries, while one is recovering from what is alleged to be an incorrect blood transfusion.A five-day statewide screening initiative that began on July 15 identified 37,558 high-risk pregnancies, aimed at reviewing the quality of antenatal care provided to women throughout the state.In response to the rising alarm over maternal health, Chief Secretary V Srinivas held a high-level review meeting via videoconference Tuesday to evaluate the state’s maternal health services. He asked the health department to detail all caesarean deliveries conducted in govt hospitals over the last 24 hours, along with the conditions of high-risk pregnant women, assuring him that all deliveries were safe within that timeframe.Srinivas emphasised the necessity for continuous monitoring of all women who have delivered, instructing health department officials and field workers to ensure strict surveillance. During the meeting, he engaged with auxiliary nurse midwives from Jaipur, Churu and Jhunjhunu, urging them to maintain regular follow-ups for high-risk pregnancies, monitor expected delivery dates and facilitate timely referrals whenever complications arise.Also, the chief secretary reviewed the Setu Digital Emergency Healthcare software, developed by RNT Medical College, and directed the health department, with IT department support, to develop a similar integrated platform for real-time tracking of pregnant women and effective referral management. Srinivas assessed the availability of medicines and equipment with RMSCL, mandated standardised microbiology protocols and requested the establishment of a state-level control room to oversee delivery-related cases.Principal Secretary of Medical and Health Gayatri Rathore said Rajasthan is to implement the “Prasav Sakhi” initiative in govt hospitals, which will involve trained auxiliary nurse midwives in pink aprons assisting high-risk pregnant women throughout their hospital journey, from admission to discharge. Additionally, pink-flag help desks will be set up to support families with registration, tests, treatment, counselling, documentation and referrals.
