The Union Government has decided to replicate Maa Gruha model of the Odisha Government in other Aspirational Districts of the country, thanks to success scripted in the State.
There are 117 Aspirational Districts, including 10 in Odisha, which are backward and poverty ridden areas of the country, and are supported by the initiatives of NITI Aayog.
When Satyabrat Sahu, Central Prabhari Officer for Rayagada Aspirational District, brought to the notice of Seema Bahuguna, Secretary Department of Public Enterprise (DoPE) about the success of Maternity Waiting Home (Maa Gruha) Programme in the district, it was agreed that the programme may be replicated in other Aspirational Districts.
Sahu is serving as Director Administration and Finance in National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) of the Government of India.
Sahu, who recently extensively visited Rayagada district, came across the Maa Gruha Programme, which is implemented by the district administration with a lot of determination and sincerity, thanks to efforts of district Collector Pramod Kumar Behera.
The DoPE is coordinating funding of 117 Aspirational Districts through CSR funds of the Central Public Sector Enterprises.
Such step would make a visible impact as the CSR of these public enterprises are in the excess of Rs 3,200 crore per annum. In Odisha MCL, Nalco and other CPSEs are funding Aspirational Districts from their CSR funds, said sources, which are being coordinated by the DoPE.
Geographical barrier and lack of communication hindered transportation of expectant mothers to hospital in the last stage of labour or in emergency.
Suitable place and cost factors involved in staying outside before delivery was also not up to their reach because of their poor economic status.
So, in spite of provision given under Janani Surakshy Yojana, institutional delivery was not reported to have increased.
These problems are being approached through establishing Maternity Waiting Home (MWH) especially for people living in most difficult pockets.
Pregnant mothers were brought to Maa Gruha at least 10 days before Estimated Date of Delivery (EDD) and beds are provided along with supportive staff like ANM, women health assistants and cook in the MWH.
Provision of proper diet to EDD mother and her infant is also being arranged.
Now none Maa Gruhas are working in the district at different identified pockets like Chandrapur, Gudari, Gunupur, K Singhpur, Majhiguda, Kashipur, Tikri, Muniguda and Rayagada.
These are operated on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode and more will be added. Thanks to the successful implementation of Maa Gruha, institutional delivery, which was 48 per cent in 2010-11 has gone up to 82 per cent in 2018-19. Latest information reveals that till June 30, 2019, institutional deliveries have gone up to 87 per cent, which is at par with Odisha State average.
