Population Services International (PSI), a global health organization is organizing several programs to aware people about increasing maternal deaths. Targeting rural and suburban areas of the city, a week long program “Safe Pregnancy Week” started on 23^rd Dec.

Informing more about the objective of the program, Gajendra Sharma, local coordinator informed, “According to a survey, in every 10 minutes 1 woman and 56000 women in a year die during pregnancy.”

Several factors are increasing the maternal death rate which should be stopped by improving facilities, spreading health awareness and organizing continuous health camps in Aganwadis and local health centers.

Gayatri Jain, a representative of PSI informed that there is a group of 25 doctors and 25 hospitals in the city and nearby areas who will give free counseling to the patients and there will be no consultation charges.

During the Safe Pregnancy Week, PSI is meeting with scores of women and educating them about medical and health factors. People will be also motivated for vaccination to avoid maternal deaths.

Kapil Kaushik, programme officer told UT, “Apart from teaching about complexities and precautions, PSI will also do cultural programs like Mehandi and Rangoli art to take participations from locals.”

“Our only motive is to reach as much local people we can and teach them about safe pregnancy measures which will certainly lower the maternal death rate.”