In a bid to ensure quality health services in tribal dominated Sundargarh district, the district administration has taken a decision to establish as many as nine Maa Gruhas or Maternity Waiting Homes (MWH), under private public partnership basis, in remote areas of the district.
“The Maa Gruha has played a significant role in ensuring the health of mothers and newborns. Pregnant women with symptoms of a variety of health complications, including those in remote areas, are being housed in the MWH before delivery. Here, she is provided with health check-ups, nutritious food, and counselling and can be taken to a nearby hospital in time to ensure a safe delivery.
After the childbirth, the mother and baby are sent home safe," said Collector, Sundargarh, Nikhil Pavan Kalyan.
Sources said the urban PHCs at Tilkanagar and Sector 22 in Rourkela have been running under PPP mode.
It has now been decided to run the urban PHCs in Hamirpur and Mahtab Road in Rourkela in public private partnership. Hence, out of the 10 urban PHCs, the department will directly manage six, while four of the centers will be run by private partners.
It was therefore decided to set up nine new ‘Maa Gruha’ in the remote areas of the district. Similarly, out of the 75 rural PHCs, 5 centers are to be run through public private partnerships, source added.
According to sources, since 2012, five ‘Maa Gruha’ have been operating in remote areas of Lephripara, Lahunipara, Gurundia, Koira and Rajgangpur blocks.