Madhya Pradesh contributes 10 pc MMR: Bashir

Bhopal, Feb 16: Hamid El Bashir, State Representative, UNICEF office for Madhya Pradesh said that Madhya Pradesh contributes 10 percent of maternal deaths in the country while India contributes 20 percent of maternal deaths in the world. It is possible to reduce them but the need is of sustained commitment to deliver for benefit of women and children in the state. He claimed that there are gaps in the system. He was speaking after inaugurating the state level meeting of campaign partners supporting the promotion of safe motherhood and raising concern on maternal mortality in the state of Madhya Pradesh, here on Friday.

He further said that the civil society needs to engage communities at high level to push accountabilities within the system to better deliver for women and children. Civil society is a duty bearer for the rights of women and children and it should help make the system accountable. More than 60 non governmental organizations from various districts of the state including Panna, Dhar, Jabalpur, Indore, Mandsaur, Sehore, Bhopal, Sagar, Ujjain, Sheopur, Gwalior, Bhind, Barwani, Dewas, Satna, Shivpuri, Rewa, Neemuch, Datia, Ashok Nagar, Tikamgarh, Chhattarpur, Khargone participated in the meeting.

NGOs representing network organizations like Madhya Pradesh Voluntary Health Association, Madhya Pradesh Samaj Sewa Sanstha, Madhya Pradesh Jan Adhikar Manch, Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Mahila Chetna Manch, Vikas Samvad, Department of Journalism, Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University (MCNU) of Journalism shared their concern. Anil Gulati Communication officer UNICEF spoke on the need of the community empowerment and with civil society their engagement on the issue of women health. Media has helped to bring the issue to forefront but the need is to take this momentum forward.

Manoj Joshi of Madhya Pradesh Voluntary Health Association, P.P. Singh, Department of Journalism MCNU, Sandesh Bansal State Coordinator Jan Adhikar Manch, Dr Sheela Bhambal of Central Board of Regional Health Services, Sachin Jain of Vikas Samvad, Deep Damani of Mahila Chetna Manch, Fr Mathew and sister Joicy of Madhya Pradesh Samaj Sewa Sanstha gave presentation in the various parts of the state to help bring the much needed momentum on the issue. Dr Narayan Goankar Health Officer UNICEF presented the findings of maternal deaths audit in the districts of Guna and Shivpuri. Participations also focused on issue of rights.

Published at www.mpnewsonline.com