SRINAGAR: The Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department in J&K has made the use of Partograph mandatory in labor rooms to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, while also addressing the rising Caesarean Section rates associated with prolonged labor.
As per the directives issued in this regard, the H&ME stated that it has been observed that obstetric care providers in health facilities of the UT are not routinely using the Partograph, which, it noted, is a simple and low-cost intervention for reducing maternal complications and morbidity.
“The Partograph is an effective tool in the management of labour which prevents prolonged labour. It reduces the risk of postpartum hemorrhage and obviates the chances of obstructed labour, uterine rupture, and prenatal fetal asphyxia cases, leading to an overall reduction in maternal morbidity and mortality,” it said, adding that the Government of Jammu & Kashmir is committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target of Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of less than 70 maternal deaths per lakh live births, and “it has been observed that prolonged labour is one of the most frequent causes of maternal mortality.”
Furthermore, the rate of Caesarean Section, H&ME emphasized, has significantly increased in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and stands at 41.7 percent as per the NFHS-5 survey report against the desired Caesarean Section rate of below 15 percent. “The Laqshya guidelines also recommend the use of Partograph as mandatory in at least 90 percent of deliveries for achieving the desired certification,” it added.
Keeping in view the guidelines and the benefits of using the Partograph, H&ME directed that to help reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and also reduce the Caesarean Section rate, “it is, hereby, enjoined upon all stakeholders across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir to generate/record Partograph using real-time information in all delivery cases admitted in Labour rooms across the Union Territory.”
Also, it has been directed that HoDs/MSs/CMOs/ BMOs, etc., shall regularly monitor the use of Partograph during their visits. “Compliance reports with monthly data shall be submitted by the concerned HoDs/MSs/ CMOs by the third of every month for the preceding month.”
At the same time, the Managing Director, JKMSCL, has also been directed to ensure that all Government hospitals undertaking deliveries have an adequate number of CTG machines and petrography paper. “These shall be procured in a phased manner after fulfilling all codal formalities in letter and spirit.”
(This story is not edited by Press Exclusive.)
