Health Experts Stress Prenatal Tests to Reduce Maternal, Neonatal Mortality in Bihar
Health experts have strongly advised that routine prenatal tests should never be missed to prevent maternal and neonatal mortality, emphasizing that high-risk pregnancies require regular and proper medical check-ups. This critical message was delivered during the first day of the 41st national annual conference of the Indian Society of Perinatology and Reproductive Biology, organized in association with its Patna chapter.
Conference Focuses on Bridging Healthcare Gaps
The conference, held in Patna, saw gynaecologist Dr. Manju Geeta Mishra attend as the chief guest. Organizing chairman Dr. Usha Sharma revealed that the theme of this year’s event is "Bridging the Gap: Pre-Conception to Perinatal Care," which highlights the importance of a continuous and integrated approach to maternal and newborn health.
Dr. Sharma shared alarming data from Bihar, noting that the maternal mortality rate in the state stands at 118 deaths per 1 lakh live births, while the neonatal mortality rate is 27 per 1,000 live births. In stark contrast, Kerala has a maternal mortality rate of 30 per 1 lakh live births and a neonatal mortality rate of 7 to 8 per 1,000 births.
Workshops and Sessions on Critical Topics
Pre-conference workshops were conducted on Friday, covering a wide range of essential topics to update doctors with the latest knowledge and practical skills. Dr. Pragya Mishra explained that these workshops aimed to enhance maternal and newborn care through modern techniques.
The sessions included:
- Safe labour management
- Foetal medicine
- High-risk pregnancy care
- Perinatal asphyxia management
- Contraception and reproductive medicine
- Pre-labour counselling
- Labour pain relief
- Modern prenatal diagnostic techniques
Causes of Mortality in Bihar
When asked about the major causes behind maternal mortality in Bihar, Dr. Sharma identified postpartum haemorrhage and antepartum haemorrhage as the leading factors, followed by maternal sepsis, preeclampsia, and eclampsia. For neonatal mortality, she cited premature births, infections, weak cervix, and induced prematurity as primary causes.
"The aim of this conference is to bring health experts from different fields under one umbrella and chalk out ways to bring down maternal and neonatal mortality," said Dr. Sharma, underscoring the urgent need for collaborative efforts.
Experts reiterated that regular prenatal check-ups are vital for early detection and management of complications, which can significantly reduce mortality rates. They urged healthcare providers and expectant mothers to prioritize these tests to ensure safer pregnancies and healthier outcomes for both mothers and newborns.
