Shillong, Nov 6: In the remote village of Purakhasia in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills, the local primary health centre (PHC) recently marked a milestone: a full ten-bed facility for expectant mothers, equipped to handle even the most critical needs. This modest yet essential upgrade has made a life-changing impact for mothers in this remote area, who previously had to travel long distances for basic maternity services.

Similarly, in Ranikor, an area known for its challenging terrain and unpredictable monsoon seasons, a new “transit home” now provides a safe haven for expectant mothers from nearby villages, helping ensure they reach a facility safely in time for delivery.

These efforts are part of a larger transformation in maternal healthcare across Meghalaya, which has led to a dramatic 50% reduction in the maternal mortality rate over the past four years. Announcing the progress on Wednesday, Principal Secretary for Health Sampath Kumar described these initiatives as vital steps in a journey toward making every childbirth safer. “With significant efforts, we’ve seen a decline in maternal deaths in Meghalaya, achieving over a 50 per cent reduction in the last four years,” Kumar noted. “However, our goal as a state is to reduce it even further.”

Weekly review meetings and in-depth root cause analyses have become the backbone of Meghalaya’s approach to reducing maternal mortality. By identifying the specific challenges faced by mothers in remote areas, health officials have been able to deliver support where it’s needed most. “Every mother’s life is important, and we must ensure their safety,” Kumar emphasized, underscoring the state’s commitment to reaching even the hardest-to-access regions.

A key part of this transformation has been the Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood Scheme (CM-SMS), an initiative focused on reducing both maternal and infant mortality. The program has empowered healthcare workers and expanded resources, including the installation of an ultrasound machine in Purakhasia, a service that used to require outsourcing. Moreover, a partnership with the Tamil Nadu government enabled the training of sixty doctors to perform ultrasounds, bringing critical diagnostic skills to areas that previously lacked such expertise.

The state’s healthcare teams now monitor around 80,000 births annually, a task made more effective with real-time data on pregnant mothers. This data system enables targeted care and greater accountability, allowing for a more proactive approach to maternal health.

In areas like Ranikor, where transportation and connectivity are particularly challenging, the transit homes offer an encouraging solution, providing a place for expectant mothers to stay until it’s time for their delivery. The facilities, coordinated by the health department along with local CHCs and community leaders, reflect a commitment to bringing reliable healthcare access to every corner of the state.

Sampath Kumar said Meghalaya’s decentralized health system has fostered a spirit of accountability and pride among local healthcare teams, who are now empowered to respond directly to the needs of their communities.

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