Championing Maternal Healthcare in Rural India: The Journey of Dr. S. Rajakumari

An interview with Dr. S. Rajakumari, Medical Officer, Thennampattinam Medical Center, Sirkali, Tamil Nadu

Dr. S. Rajakumari, a dedicated Medical Officer at the Thennampattinam Medical Center in Tamil Nadu, has spearheaded transformative healthcare initiatives focused on maternal and child health. With a career driven by a passion to bridge healthcare disparities in rural India, Dr. Rajakumari’s efforts encompass a broad spectrum of educational and clinical interventions. Her collaboration with the Srinivasan Services Trust (SST) has been pivotal in enhancing the healthcare landscape, resulting in substantial improvements in maternal and child well-being in her community.

Could you tell us about your journey and what inspired you to pursue a career in maternal healthcare, particularly in rural India?

My journey in maternal healthcare has been driven by a deep-seated passion to address the glaring gaps in healthcare, particularly in rural India. Witnessing firsthand the dire state of maternal and child healthcare in these regions served as a profound inspiration for me. In rural areas, maternal and child healthcare faced significant challenges, stemming from factors such as early marriage, frequent childbirth, unsafe abortion practices, inadequate antenatal and postnatal care, and limited access to proper delivery services. Moreover, child health was marred by issues like malnutrition, infectious diseases, and insufficient immunization coverage.

Driven by a commitment to my profession and a sense of duty towards public health, I endeavored to make a meaningful difference. Through concerted efforts and collaboration with organizations like the Srinivasan Services Trust (SST), we worked tirelessly to address these pressing issues. Our interventions encompassed a range of initiatives aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes. We provided comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care, ensuring safe deliveries and promoting maternal well-being. Additionally, we implemented programs to combat malnutrition, prevent infectious diseases, and facilitate crucial immunizations for children.

Furthermore, we leveraged community health camps to extend our reach and deliver essential healthcare services directly to those in need. These efforts were bolstered by the availability of necessary medical equipment, such as nebulizers for treating respiratory conditions in infants, which were procured through the support of SST. Through our collective endeavors, we succeeded in making tangible progress, evidenced by a significant reduction in maternal and child mortality rates. Every child treated, every mother cared for, reaffirmed our conviction in the transformative power of accessible and quality healthcare.

I am immensely grateful for the support and collaboration of organizations like the Srinivasan Services Trust, whose partnership has been instrumental in our journey towards building healthier and more resilient communities.

How does your collaboration with Srinivasan Services Trust (SST) enhance your ability to provide healthcare services to the community, particularly in terms of maternal and child health?

Our collaboration with Srinivasan Services Trust (SST) significantly enhances our capacity to deliver healthcare services, particularly focusing on maternal and child health within the community. Through our partnership, we employ a multifaceted approach to address the specific needs of mothers and children, ensuring comprehensive care and support.

Key aspects of our collaboration include:

• Health Education and Counseling: We provide tailored health advice to improve the overall well-being of mothers. This includes guidance on nutrition, the importance of immunizations, the advantages of institutional deliveries over home deliveries, and the significance of postnatal health check-ups.
• Antenatal Care (ANC) Services: We offer essential information and support to expecting mothers during their antenatal visits. This encompasses educating them about proper nutrition, the importance of regular check-ups, and the significance of early detection and management of complications.
• Promotion of Breastfeeding: We emphasize the importance of breastfeeding and provide mothers with practical guidance and support to initiate and sustain breastfeeding, thereby ensuring optimal nutrition and health for newborns.
• Anemia Screening and Management: Through our collaboration with SST, we have access to essential resources such as haemoglobinometers to screen for anemia among mothers. Early detection allows for timely intervention and treatment, reducing the risk of complications associated with anemia.

By leveraging the resources and expertise provided by SST, we are able to implement effective interventions that address the specific healthcare needs of mothers and children in the community. Together, we strive to ensure that every individual receives the necessary support and care to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

How has the establishment of the Thennampattinam Medical Center impacted the accessibility and quality of healthcare for women in your village?

The establishment of the Thennampattinam Medical Center has significantly improved healthcare accessibility and quality for women in our village through several initiatives:

• Conducting dedicated health camps exclusively for women in the field areas associated with the Thennampattinam Primary Health Center (PHC), ensuring targeted and specialized care.
• Empowering field workers to identify and refer complex and local cases to the PHC, ensuring timely intervention and appropriate management.
• Implementing weekly area clinics within the PHC premises, enhancing convenience and regularity of healthcare services for women in the village.
• Introducing a monthly geriatric clinic at the PHC level, catering to the specific healthcare needs of elderly women.
• Providing planned physical therapy sessions, including Interferential Therapy (IFT), for elderly women with orthopedic conditions, further enhancing comprehensive care at the PHC.
• Promoting collaboration and cooperation between field workers and PHC staff, facilitating seamless coordination for all healthcare activities and initiatives.

These measures collectively ensure that women in our village have improved access to specialized healthcare services and receive quality care tailored to their unique needs.

In your experience, what are some of the key factors contributing to the hesitance towards formal healthcare among women in rural areas, and how do you address these challenges?

In my experience, several key factors contribute to the hesitancy towards formal healthcare among women in rural areas:

1. Lack of Proper Education: Limited access to education leaves women uninformed about healthcare options and their own health needs.
2. Early Marriage: Early marriage often leads to pregnancies at a young age, increasing the risk of complications and reducing access to proper prenatal care.
3. Consanguineous Marriages: In areas where blood-related marriages are common, there’s a higher risk of genetic disorders and health complications for both mothers and children.
4. Inadequate Antenatal Care: Due to various reasons, such as distance to healthcare facilities or cultural beliefs, women may not seek antenatal care until late in their pregnancies, increasing risks to maternal and fetal health.
5. Lack of Proper Delivery Care: Home births without skilled attendants can result in complications for both mothers and infants.
6. Unawareness of Family Planning Methods: Limited knowledge of family planning methods leads to unintended pregnancies and reproductive health issues.
7. Repetitive Abortion Techniques: Unsafe abortion practices due to restricted access to contraception and social stigmas surrounding abortion can lead to severe health consequences.
8. Inadequate Postnatal Care: Lack of follow-up care after childbirth can result in undiagnosed complications and maternal health issues.
9. Unawareness of Adolescent Health Programs: Ignorance about adolescent health programs hinders young girls from accessing essential healthcare services and information.
10. Lack of Awareness of Communicable Diseases: Limited knowledge about communicable diseases contributes to their spread and prevents timely treatment.

Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, and we have already taken significant strides in this direction. We’ve conducted comprehensive awareness programs with our staff, fostering a positive change in their attitudes through various means such as group meetings. Health services have been amplified through activities like health camps, spreading awareness about the complications associated with improper delivery systems. As a result, we’ve witnessed a decline in home deliveries and a corresponding rise in institutional deliveries. Our staff has been actively involved in delivering educational programs on antenatal care and nutritional advice, emphasizing the importance of early referral systems in cases of delivery complications. These concerted efforts have yielded substantial success in rural areas, marking a significant milestone in overcoming the challenges hindering women’s access to formal healthcare.

Can you describe a memorable success story or a particularly impactful moment that highlights the positive outcomes of your efforts in improving maternal healthcare in Thennampattinam village?

In Thennampattinam Village, there’s a remarkable success story centered around a patient named Kaveri, who was expecting her second child. Kaveri faced the daunting challenge of managing both diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension simultaneously, causing her considerable anxiety. Recognizing the gravity of her condition, the healthcare staff provided diligent care and support, effectively addressing the complexities of her health issues.

My involvement began with regular antenatal care (ANC) check-ups at the Thennampattinam health center, where Kaveri received consistent monitoring of her blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Realizing the necessity for specialized intervention, I facilitated a personal consultation with a physician who offered tailored advice and initiated a comprehensive treatment plan for Kaveri’s conditions. Throughout her pregnancy, she received unwavering support and medical attention, ensuring her well-being and that of her unborn child.

Ultimately, Kaveri safely delivered a healthy baby via elective cesarean section, a testament to the collaborative efforts of the healthcare team and the effectiveness of the care provided. The joy and relief experienced by Kaveri and her family were palpable as they expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the exceptional service received at the Thennampattinam health center.

Witnessing this positive outcome was deeply fulfilling, reinforcing the significance of accessible and quality maternal healthcare services in transforming lives within the community. It’s moments like these that reaffirm the importance of our commitment to improving maternal healthcare, inspiring us to continue our efforts in promoting maternal and child well-being.

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals for the future of maternal and child healthcare in Thennampattinam village and beyond?

In envisioning the future of maternal and child healthcare in Thennampattinam village and beyond, several aspirations and goals emerge as essential components of a comprehensive and effective healthcare system:

1. Enhanced Focus on Proper Breastfeeding Care: Implementing programs that promote and support proper breastfeeding practices from the prenatal period through the postnatal stage is paramount. This includes education on the benefits of breastfeeding, techniques for successful breastfeeding, and addressing any challenges or concerns mothers may face.
2. Encouraging Active Participation of Husbands in Maternal Health: Engaging husbands and partners as active participants in maternal healthcare can significantly improve outcomes. By fostering a supportive environment where husbands are encouraged to accompany their wives to prenatal visits, participate in childbirth education classes, and provide emotional and practical support during pregnancy and postpartum, we can create a more holistic approach to maternal care.
3. Increasing Awareness and Access to Antenatal and Postnatal Care: Ensuring that all women have access to proper antenatal care, including regular check-ups and screenings, is crucial for the early detection and prevention of complications during pregnancy. Additionally, promoting institutional deliveries in safe and hygienic environments can significantly reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates. Postnatal care, including follow-up visits and support for new mothers, is equally important for the health and well-being of both mothers and newborns.
4. Educating Girls on Sexual Health and Abuse Prevention: Providing comprehensive health education to adolescent girls is essential for promoting sexual and reproductive health and preventing sexual abuse. Topics such as menstrual hygiene, recognizing signs of abuse, and accessing support services should be incorporated into school curricula and community outreach programs.
5. Personalized Health Education for Mothers: Offering individualized counseling sessions with female medical officers can address specific concerns and provide tailored guidance on topics such as birth spacing, family planning, and maternal nutrition. Empowering mothers with knowledge and resources enables them to make informed decisions about their own health and the well-being of their children.
6. Expanding Child Immunization Programs: Strengthening immunization programs to ensure that all children receive essential vaccines according to recommended schedules is critical for preventing vaccine-preventable diseases and reducing childhood morbidity and mortality rates.
7. Raising Awareness on Maternal and Child Health: Launching community-wide awareness campaigns through various mediums such as workshops, seminars, and community gatherings can disseminate vital information on maternal and child health practices, preventive measures, and available healthcare services.
8. Establishing Dedicated Maternal and Child Health Days: Allocating specific days or sessions dedicated to maternal and child health services at Thennampattinam site can streamline healthcare delivery and ensure that these critical services are easily accessible to all residents.

By collectively working towards these aspirations and goals, we can strive to create a future where every mother and child in Thennampattinam village and beyond receives the quality healthcare they deserve, resulting in healthier families and communities.

(India CSR)