70 women anaemic GGH maternity unit turns into blood transfusion ward

  • | Thursday | 20th September, 2018

Vijayawada: More than 70% women admitted to the maternity ward of Vijayawada Government General Hospital are anaemic, say doctors. Of these, about 75% women are anaemic, with haemoglobin levels between six and eight gram per deciliter. There are also patients who come with haemoglobin levels as low as six gram per decilitre. Only 10 to 15% women receive benefits of the schemes, and the government should not limit themselves to designing the schemes only on paper.” And this, obviously leads to less time to attend to other patients, who also need care,” said a doctor.

Vijayawada: More than 70% women admitted to the maternity ward of Vijayawada Government General Hospital are anaemic, say doctors. The more worrisome part, however, is the high number of severely anaemic antenatal woman who require blood transfusion in the hospital.According to sources, on a given day, there are about 25-30 deliveries. Of these, about 75% women are anaemic, with haemoglobin levels between six and eight gram per deciliter. Healthy haemoglobin level for pregnant women is considered to be anywhere between 10 and 14 gram per deciliter.It is also learnt that about 20 blood transfusions are done in the maternity ward every day.Speaking to TOI, HOD gynaecology, maternity ward at Old GGH, Dr Rajyalakshmi, said: “Patients with haemoglobin levels below seven gram per decilitre are about four to five percent of the total women admitted for deliveries. There are also patients who come with haemoglobin levels as low as six gram per decilitre. In such cases, we go for blood transfusions, as per the treatment procedure.”She said that blood transfusion is done depending on the stage of pregnancy at which the patient arrives.The staff and doctors at the maternity ward lament they are grossly understaffed to meet the needs of patients, especially when it involves severe anaemia cases needing blood transfusion.“Majority staff are engaged in setting up blood transfusions, and dealing with transfusion-related problems, like cross reactions, in patients. And this, obviously leads to less time to attend to other patients, who also need care,” said a doctor. Calling this a testament to the failure of health programmes on part of both the state and central governments, Dr Suresh, general secretary of Praja Arogya Vedika, said the health department must focus on scheme implementation.Dr Karuna Murthy, general secretary of Indian Medical Association, state wing, said, “Educating workers at the grassroots level on implementation of antenatal health schemes is pivotal in making the schemes a success. Only 10 to 15% women receive benefits of the schemes, and the government should not limit themselves to designing the schemes only on paper.”

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