SHILLONG, Nov 14: Almost 40 per cent of deliveries in Meghalaya are still happening at home, which is why it is all the more important to know the value of the ‘Golden Minute’, not only by the healthcare providers, but also the common people, especially expecting mothers.
This was the statement of Principal Health Secretary, Sampath Kumar, who attended a workshop on basic neo-natal resuscitation programme (NRP) titled ‘First Golden Minute’ (FGM) held at Nazareth Hospital here recently.
The training was organised for Mid-Level Health Providers (MLHP) of the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres in Meghalaya. The workshop was organised by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and National Neonatology Forum, in collaboration with NHM-Meghalaya- CPHC (Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Programme).
The workshop focussed on the importance of the ‘Golden Minute’, which refers to the first 60 seconds of a neonate’s life. Within these limited seconds, the infant should begin breathing on his or her own, or interventions must be started without delay. With neonatal resuscitation training, healthcare professionals are better equipped to recognise a newborn in distress and begin treatment within 60 seconds.
While going through the workshop and training process, Sampath Kumar emphasised on the importance of training traditional birth attendants and the need for healthcare providers to work together with them, especially to ensure safe delivery in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
While interacting with the MLHPs and the state’s maternal health experts, the Principal Health Secretary also took stock of the requirements in health centres.
The institutional deliveries have now gone up to 60 per cent in the State, after the launch of Rescue Mission by the Health Department, aimed at saving the lives of infants and mothers, informed Kumar.
Meghalaya has faced challenges in bringing down its Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), but recent interventions by the Health Department in the form of ‘Rescue Mission’ to save the lives of mothers and children, which was launched in 2020, has begun to show gradual improvements in indicators, a statement issued here said.