Belapur: 50 doctors from the Navi Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society (NMOGS) have joined hands with the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to implement the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Yojana to provide free antenatal services to the needy pregnant women free of cost. This is a unique Public-Private-Partnership scheme where the private practitioners (Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) of Navi Mumbai will provide free voluntary service at the Urban Health Posts (UHPs) run by the municipal corporation on the 9th of every month.
As per the notification by the state health department last month, a meeting of the members of NMOGS along with the NMMC health officials was held recently and the decision to implement the scheme from this month was taken. “The notification stated that every month on the 9th, practitioners should come forward voluntarily and render free medical counselling and services to the needy pregnant women. Every month a record will be maintained and will be submitted to the state health department at the end of the year to report what steps have been taken under the scheme,” said an official of NMMC.
Doctors said that this was a much needed initiative to aid the women who do not have any source for getting this kind of counselling.
“Maternal mortality is big concern in or nation since many decades and is compounded by an acute shortage of medical services available especially for the poor. Involving the private practitioner in providing voluntary free service on once in a month, is an attempt on the part of the government to reduce maternal mortality,” said Dr Anu Vij, president of NMOGS.
To start with, this scheme was kick started at 4 centres on Thursday at four centres in Indiranagar, Katkaripada, Nerul and Kopar Khairane. Around 22 patients were given counselling on the first day including all the 4 UHP centers. Subsequently, from next month, it will be expanded to all the 21 UHP centres under the NMMC jurisdiction.
“Currently, we have 50 members who have joined us to be a part of the project and more are coming forward to render their services,” said Dr Vij. Staffs from the UHPs were present during the inauguration of the scheme at the centres.
The members of NMOGS participating in this project will play an important role in identifying High risk patients, suggesting a line of treatment and referring them to higher NMMC centre. They will also keep a follow up of these high risk mothers till they have a safe delivery.