The State Health and Family Welfare Department has taken up an initiative to allow pregnant ladies to have a female relative or friend present while in labour with her during delivery.
The programme named 'Prasav Sangi' will be commenced in all the health centres of the State from January 26 on the occasion of Republic Day, officials stated.
The Department has issued letter in this context to all the Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHOs) and Civil Surgeons.
Director, Health Services R Prasanna informed that implementation of 'Prasav Sangi' programme will begin at all the Government District Hospitals, Government Health Centres, and Medical colleges.
It is noteworthy that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has decided to initiate 'Prasav Sangi' programme so that female relative or friend of pregnant lady may assist her in labour room of Government hospitals. But this permission will be given only for normal delivery and not for cesarean or other cases.
This initiative has been taken to allow family of pregnant women to help her maintain better mental health before, during and post delivery.
This programme is aimed at reducing the duration of delivery, emotional support likely to lessen labour pain, avoiding critical condition due to emotional stress in patient, eliminating post-delivery complications with support of family members, promoting institutional deliveries and decreasing maternal mortality rate.
Any women (relative or friend) chosen by the patient will be eligible for being delivery assistant, provided she is not infected with any contagious disease, maintains hygiene and is ready to be with the pregnant women during her labour
pains.