Resubelpara Hosts Health Camp on Ante Natal Care for Pregnant Women in Meghalaya

In a major initiative to improve maternal healthcare, a specialized health camp focusing on Ante Natal Care (ANC) was held at the Resubelpara Community Health Center (CHC) in North Garo Hills, Meghalaya. The camp, conducted on Thursday, saw the participation of hundreds of pregnant women, who benefited from expert medical consultations and essential diagnostic services.

The health camp was part of an ongoing effort by the District Medical & Health Officer’s office to ensure better healthcare access for expectant mothers, reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, and promote early antenatal check-ups.

Health Camp Highlights: Specialized ANC Services for Pregnant Women

The camp provided a range of antenatal services, including:

• On-the-spot OPD screenings
• Ultrasound services
• Counseling sessions with expert gynecologists

Two well-known gynecologists, Dr. Vince Chimpoo M Momin and Dr. Abida M Marak, led the medical team at the camp. They offered essential consultations and advice on maternal health, ensuring that pregnant women received the necessary guidance on nutrition, prenatal care, and common pregnancy-related concerns.

Importance of Early Antenatal Check-ups Emphasized

The chief guest, Torali K Marak, Assistant Commissioner of North Garo Hills, highlighted the critical role of early antenatal check-ups, especially during the first trimester. She stressed the need for expectant mothers to register for ANC care at the earliest opportunity to benefit from regular check-ups, prenatal tests, and medical support.

Why Ante Natal Care is Important for Expecting Mothers

Antenatal care (ANC) plays a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of both the mother and the baby. Regular check-ups help in:

1) Monitoring fetal development
2) Identifying and managing pregnancy-related complications
3) Providing necessary vaccinations and supplements
4) Educating expectant mothers on healthy pregnancy practices

The government’s aim is to achieve zero preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and such camps are a vital step toward that goal.

ASHAs’ Contribution Recognized

Marak also praised the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) for their dedication in reaching out to pregnant women in rural areas. ASHAs play a critical role in ensuring that expectant mothers receive timely medical attention, attend ANC check-ups, and follow a healthy pregnancy routine.

She urged all pregnant women to cooperate with ASHAs and medical staff to maximize the benefits of antenatal care services.

Low ANC Registration Rates: A Concern

Dr. N R Marak, SDM&HO cum DNO of the Aspirational Block, provided insights into past ANC registration statistics. He revealed that only 51% of expectant mothers had previously availed of ANC services.

This low participation rate highlights the need for greater awareness and outreach efforts to encourage more women to register for ANC check-ups and take full advantage of available maternal healthcare facilities.

Government’s Commitment to Maternal Health

The Meghalaya government has been actively working to strengthen maternal and child healthcare through various initiatives, including:

• Regular ANC health camps in rural areas
• Improving healthcare infrastructure in community health centers (CHCs) and primary health centers (PHCs)
• Encouraging institutional deliveries to reduce maternal mortality
• Strengthening ASHA networks for better outreach

Such initiatives, combined with community participation, are essential to ensuring safe pregnancies and reducing maternal and neonatal risks.

The Ante Natal Care (ANC) health camp at Resubelpara CHC was a major step toward improving maternal healthcare services in Meghalaya’s North Garo Hills district. By providing free medical consultations, screenings, and ultrasound services, the initiative helped hundreds of pregnant women receive essential prenatal care.

Government officials and healthcare professionals emphasized the importance of early ANC registration, encouraging expectant mothers to take full advantage of available healthcare services. As Meghalaya continues its mission to enhance maternal and child health, such community-driven health camps will play a crucial role in achieving the goal of zero preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

With increased awareness, support from healthcare professionals, and active participation from pregnant women, maternal healthcare in Meghalaya is set to see significant improvements in the years to come.