The State Government has set a target to increase the medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) centres from existing 155 to 374 (219 new) by 2017 for safe abortion in order to check maternal mortality rate.This was informed by Health and Family Welfare Secretary Arti Ahuja here at a workshop on safe abortion.“While the maternal mortality rate in country stands at 176 in 1 lakh mothers, it has decreased to 222 from 237 in Odisha. Since one third of the total pregnant women are dying due to unsafe abortion, it is pertinent to provide medical termination of pregnancy or abortion services by trained staff at all Government hospitals,” said Ahuja.
Apart from MTPs, efforts are on to train Asha and other grassroots health workers on safe abortion.On the occasion the Health Secretary also launched safe and comprehensive abortion care to reduce maternal mortality.The healthcare facilities and schemes for women however, remain a cause of concern in the State till today.
