10 mother and child care centres to be set in Pune

Pune : The state health department plans to establish 600 SUMAN centers across the state for the fiscal year 2023-2024, with ten of these centres being set up in Pune city. As part of the Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) initiative, the state health department aims to improve the facilities of ten civic hospitals within the city to reduce maternal and infant fatalities.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) facilities will prioritize comprehensive care for both mother and child during conception, pregnancy, and the six months following delivery. Pune city will have ten SUMAN centers, with seven dedicated to Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) and three to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC).

The CEmONC centers are located in Yerawada, Shivajinagar, and Ambil Odha, namely Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, Dalvi Hospital, and Matoshri Ramabai Ambedkar Maternity Home. Additionally, there are seven BEmONC centers, including Late Namdevrao Shivarkar Maternity Home, Rajmata Jijau Maternity Home, Late Kashinath Anaji Dhankwade Maternity home, Late Meenatai Thakre Maternity Home, Late Sakharam Kundlik Kodre Maternity Home, Late Jayabai Sutar hospital, and Sonawane Maternity Home.

As per the information provided, last year only Kamla Nehru Hospital was chosen for upgrade. Selected center will receive infrastructure and screening facility upgrades funded by the state government. She also noted that the SUMAN centres will eliminate the need for patient referrals by providing screening tests, medicines, and facilities, ultimately reducing maternal and infant deaths.

Dr. Bhagwan Pawar, the health officer of PMC informed that centers will offer free quality care for mother and children. He also mentioned that the facilities at the CEmONC centers will be comparable to private facilities and will undergo national quality assurance standards certification within six months of selection.