Expressing concern over the early pregnancy and rising cases of neonatal deaths in Jharkhand, Member, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Rupa Kapoor said that until maximum participation of males is not ensured in the public meetings focusing on women centric issues, it is difficult to curb increasing cases of child marriages, fatal pregnancy, neonatal deaths etc.
Addressing the participants from State including the stakeholders from different sectors like civil society, health, and media professionals during a State level Campaign against neonatal death and early pregnancy on Monday Kapoor said, “ANM and Anganwadi workers cannot solely take up the responsibility of creating awareness among the people. Responsibility must be shared among all, especially the males. The decision of starting a family, use of contraceptives does not only rest upon with the females. All major decision at homes is taken by males in the patriarchal society.”
Also, taking into account malnourishment among children including the recent deaths of children in the biggest State-owned hospital, RIMS, Kapoor further added that ‘Save Childhood Programme’ under the aegis of NCPCR will be soon initiated in the State covering all the panchayats to curb malnourishment. “Jharkhand is amongst the selected 14 States, where members of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Village level Workers (VlWs) will be trained in different facets of child rights to eradicate child marriages, sexual abuse.”
“Creation of child friendly hospitals and strengthening primary health care setup are also relevant subjects that are being considered by the national commission working for the betterment of one of the most vulnerable part of the society,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jaya Prasad, Deputy Director (Adolescent Health), GoJ while pointing out on some important health indicators to define the shortcomings said that the State records approximately 63 per cent of early marriage cases. Around, 67 per cent girls and 41 per cent boys are anemic in Jharkhand. “In the teenage pregnancy category, from bottom, Jharkhand is just above Assam and West Bengal. Around 27 percent girls’ falling in the age group 15 to 19 years here gets pregnant at a very nascent stage.”
Besides focusing on alarming data, Prasad also said that there is dearth of knowledge about safe and legal abortion practices among the youths. Youths contribute 22 per cent of the total population of Jharkhand. Focusing on ongoing State government schemes like Adolescent Family Health Clinic, Menstrual Hygiene Scheme, Creation of Peer Educator group ‘Sathiya’ in the villages, Prasad highlighted on preliminary measures being taken up by the State government to improve the status of State from health perspectives.
Similarly, Dr. Bina Sinha, Director, Child Health, Department of Health and Family Welfare, NHM on steps taken by the Health Department to combat neo-natal deaths, said, “New born children care units are being established near labour rooms to serve the infants need especially who need special care, attention. As many as 13 specialized new born units at hospitals will be established at different places.” Several speakers while speaking on status of children in Jharkhand emphasized on paving ways towards interdepartmental convergence for more effective outcome.