Health experts call for birth preparedness, complication readiness as key strategy to reduce maternal, newborn deaths
Srinagar, Jul 03: Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) is emerging as one of the most effective public health strategies to improve maternal and child health indicators in Jammu and Kashmir by ensuring that every pregnancy is planned, every delivery is safe, and medical emergencies are managed without delay.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) health experts believe that proper birth planning, coupled with timely access to healthcare services, can significantly reduce preventable maternal and neonatal deaths, particularly in geographically challenging regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, where difficult terrain, harsh winters, seasonal road closures and long travel distances often delay access to emergency obstetric care.
Notably, the BPCR is a comprehensive plan jointly prepared by a pregnant woman, her family and healthcare workers to ensure safe pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care. The approach focuses on identifying a suitable health facility for delivery, arranging transportation before labour begins, saving money for emergencies, identifying compatible blood donors, ensuring regular antenatal check-ups and recognising danger signs during pregnancy, labour, the postnatal period and in newborns.
As per public health experts, BPCR directly addresses the “Three Delays” that contribute to maternal and newborn deaths. These include delays in deciding to seek medical care, delays in reaching an appropriate healthcare facility and delays in receiving quality treatment after arrival. Through better awareness, advance planning and early referrals, these delays can be substantially reduced.
The strategy holds particular significance for Jammu & Kashmir due to its unique geographical and climatic challenges. Remote habitations, difficult mountain terrain, prolonged travel time to referral hospitals, delayed ambulance access during adverse weather conditions and a high prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women make advance planning essential for ensuring safe motherhood.
Health officials said that effective implementation of BPCR can substantially improve maternal health indicators across the Union Territory. Early registration of pregnancy and regular antenatal care enable timely screening of high-risk pregnancies and ensure that women receive at least four to eight recommended antenatal care contacts. Increased institutional deliveries under the supervision of skilled birth attendants improve the management of obstetric emergencies, including haemorrhage, eclampsia, sepsis and obstructed labour.
The programme is also expected to significantly improve child health outcomes. Skilled care at birth, immediate newborn resuscitation where required, thermal protection, early initiation of breastfeeding and prompt immunisation contribute to reducing Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Perinatal Mortality Rate. Early breastfeeding within the first hour of birth strengthens newborn immunity, while postnatal follow-up ensures timely identification and treatment of illnesses.
Experts note that several important maternal and child health indicators are likely to improve through widespread adoption of BPCR. These include higher antenatal care coverage, increased institutional delivery rates, improved skilled birth attendance, better postnatal care, timely referral of obstetric emergencies, early breastfeeding initiation, improved immunisation coverage and better identification and management of low birth weight newborns.
Community health workers, including ASHAs and ANMs, play a pivotal role in the successful implementation of BPCR. They counsel families during home visits, prepare individualised birth preparedness plans, identify high-risk pregnancies, coordinate transport and referral services, and educate families about postpartum care and newborn health.
Public health experts stress that the involvement of husbands, elders and other family members is equally important, as collective decision-making during emergencies often determines how quickly medical care is sought.
Professor Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College Srinagar, who issued the public health advisory, emphasised that effective Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness can save lives by ensuring that families are prepared well before delivery.
He underscored that good planning before childbirth, early recognition of danger signs and prompt medical intervention can prevent many maternal and newborn deaths, leading to healthier families and stronger communities across Jammu & Kashmir.
Health authorities have urged expectant mothers and their families to prepare well in advance for childbirth, avoid unnecessary delays during emergencies and seek medical care at the earliest signs of complications. They reiterated that timely planning today is the foundation for safer motherhood, healthier children and improved health indicators for the Union Territory. (KNO)
