Pregnant women undergo health check-ups, free medication in Kashi

Varanasi: The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan Diwas (Prime Minister's Safe Motherhood Campaign Day) was observed in the district on Wednesday.

Chief medical officer Dr Sandeep Chaudhary said that this day is observed on the 1st, 9th, 16th, and 24th of each month to ensure better health care, prenatal check-ups, and care for pregnant women. This day was celebrated extensively at all urban and rural primary and community health centres in the district, including the District Women's Hospital Kabirchaura and Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital Ramnagar.

The CMO said that the PMSMA Day was celebrated enthusiastically across all the health units. Pregnant women visiting the health centres received free prenatal check-ups, including urine tests, blood pressure, diabetes, syphilis, haemoglobin, and other related tests. New couples and family planning beneficiaries were given counselling for a healthy and happy family.

The CMO said that pregnant women should be vigilant about their health, consume a balanced and nutritious diet, undergo at least four essential prenatal check-ups and take at least 180 calcium and iron tablets to prevent anaemia.

ACMO, Dr HC Maurya, said that a total of 2,586 women underwent prenatal check-ups across all health units in the district, with 278 women identified as high-risk pregnancies (HRP). PMSMA Day is observed to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and ensure better health care for pregnant women, he said.

Obstetricians identified HRP women and referred them to higher-level units, provided free medication, necessary medical, and nutritional counselling. Dr. Anjali, a gynaecologist at Urban CHC Durgakund, said that if any pregnant woman shows severe symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, blurred vision, yellowing of the skin, seizures, high blood pressure, vaginal bleeding, swelling in hands, feet, or face, reduced fetal movement, etc., they are categorised as HRP to provide prioritised medical care at higher health units for safe delivery.