NHRC issues notice to Jharkhand Government on deaths during childbirth in District Godda.
New Delhi, 16th September, 2013
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that due to lack of medical assistance for women in advanced stages of pregnancy in Santhali villages in District Godda, Jharkhand several young pregnant women die every year. Most of the pregnant women in villages of the district have severe iron deficiency leading to problem in blood clotting and the uterus contraction, which causes death.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of right to health of women in the State of Jharkhand. A notice has been issued to the State Government through its Chief Secretary calling for a report in the matter within four weeks.
Reportedly, most of the Santhali and Pahariya families survive on rice and potatoes, therefore, they need to get Iron and Folic Acid supplement tablets, distribution of which has been discontinued by the Jharkhand Government after the Central Government stopped their supply.
Moreover, 46% of all deliveries take place at sub-centres in villages, which also lack infrastructure, ambulances and staff, putting women at risk. The hospital at District Headquarter, with only 40 beds and two ambulances, caters to a population of 13 lakh people. It also neither has proper infrastructure to deal with the complicated cases nor any blood bank.
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The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that due to lack of medical assistance for women in advanced stages of pregnancy in Santhali villages in District Godda, Jharkhand several young pregnant women die every year. Most of the pregnant women in villages of the district have severe iron deficiency leading to problem in blood clotting and the uterus contraction, which causes death.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of right to health of women in the State of Jharkhand. A notice has been issued to the State Government through its Chief Secretary calling for a report in the matter within four weeks.
Reportedly, most of the Santhali and Pahariya families survive on rice and potatoes, therefore, they need to get Iron and Folic Acid supplement tablets, distribution of which has been discontinued by the Jharkhand Government after the Central Government stopped their supply.
Moreover, 46% of all deliveries take place at sub-centres in villages, which also lack infrastructure, ambulances and staff, putting women at risk. The hospital at District Headquarter, with only 40 beds and two ambulances, caters to a population of 13 lakh people. It also neither has proper infrastructure to deal with the complicated cases nor any blood bank.
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