Impact of Government Schemes on Maternal Health: An Observational Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Maternal health is an important aspect for the development of any country in terms of increasing equity and reducing poverty. For reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity Government of India launched National health mission (NHM). Some of the major initiatives under NHM are– ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist), JSY/JSSK (Janani Suraksha Yojana / Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram), National mobile medical units, National ambulance services. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed in department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, G.S.V.M Medical College, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh which is a low performing state, during the period of 2018 to 2019. A total of 5134 obstetric patients including 1032 low general condition patients were included over duration of 20 months since January 2018 to august 2019. This observational study collected information regarding number of deliveries in different years in this tertiary care hospital, effect on availability of health facilities and antenatal care to the antenatal women after introduction of JSY, ASHA and ambulance services. CONCLUSIONS: After JSY there is major difference in OPD admission and institutional delivery rate. Ambulance services had major contributory role in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. There is need to improve performance of ASHA by proper supervision and monitoring.