Home deliveries drop in Kerala; govt incentives for births: Details

The health department reports that the number of home deliveries has reduced significantly in the state. Now, only one in four deliveries happens at home in Malappuram. Forty-six home deliveries took place in March this year. However, it went down to 26 in April, reports Manorama Online. In Malappuram, home deliveries nosedived from 23 to just six. The death of a woman at her home in Chattiparambu, Malappuram, on April 5, following home delivery, had ignited widespread debates about this issue. The health department had also conducted large-scale campaigns against home deliveries.

Kollam, Kottayam, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Kannur districts too saw a significant drop in the number of home deliveries. However, home deliveries have increased in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kasargod and Kozhikode districts. Meanwhile, no home deliveries were reported in Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha in the last two months. There was one home delivery each in Kollam and Kannur last month, but none has been reported at these districts this month. Two home deliveries were reported in Wayand in March and April.

Government incentives
The health department has also announced incentives and other attractive schemes for births in government hospitals. The government will continue to promote the incentives and other discounts available for giving birth at government hospitals. The department also promotes the Janani Suraksha Yojana, which aims to reduce the maternal and neonatal mortality rate under the National Health Mission.

According to this scheme, Rs 700 would be credited to the accounts of people in rural areas, and Rs 600 would be granted in urban areas for giving birth in government hospitals. The Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram scheme, which provides free delivery, treatment, and food for pregnant and sick infants in government hospitals and other public health institutions, has already been launched in the government hospitals in Kerala.