Assessment of availability and pattern of utilization of institutional obstetric care by Venn exercises in rural Mysore, India

Abstract

Since the implementation of national rural health mission (NRHM), rural healthcare has got a big boost in India. This has made a huge difference in the maternal and Child health care in our country. Many PHCs were upgraded into first referral units (FRUs; 24 X 7 obstetric care centres), untied fund was provided to PHCs and sub centres to improve the facilities. 108 ambulance scheme (free government ambulances) was started to take care of the transport problem of the patients. Introduction of ASHAs as interface workers has redefined obstetric care as they take complete charge of conceived mother till her baby is immunized. This has contributed in reducing infant and maternal mortality to the desired level. Mysore is one of the districts which have implemented NRHM and all other national programs promptly and its IMR and MMR fare well below national values. It has 135 PHCs, 25 CHCs, seven talluka hospitals, two medical college hospitals. 1