International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Maternal and newborn healthcare in India is to step up a level as the government introduces a new electronic database to monitor pregnant women and newborns' health.

Part of the Mother and Child Protection Campaign launched by the health department of the Indian government, the new database will keep details of women and newborns at village level and hold information on due dates and vaccinations.

It is hoped that using the electronic database will improve maternal and newborn health by ensuring accurate records are kept.

Officials believe this will reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in line with targets set by the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

As well as texting expectant and new mothers about vaccination dates, the scheme will focus on helping agencies provide nutritional care and information for women and newborns and advocate the benefits of breastfeeding.

As part of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1st – 7th) the World Health Organization (WHO) recently emphasised the benefits of breastfeeding infants for up to two years. They believe breastfeeding children for two years could cut the number of infant deaths worldwide each year by 1.5 million.

Posted by Carla Mackenzie