National Safe Motherhood Day Also known as birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi!
National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) is celebrated annually on April 11 in India to raise awareness about the importance of safe motherhood practices and maternal healthcare. The day was first observed in 2003 by the government of India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi, the wife of Mahatma Gandhi, who was a champion of women’s rights and worked towards improving maternal healthcare in India. The day aims to address India’s high maternal mortality rate and promote better healthcare facilities for mothers and infants.
Celebration of National Safe Motherhood Day
The National Safe Motherhood Day is celebrated across India with various activities and events organized by government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and healthcare institutions. These activities aim to educate women and their families about safe motherhood practices, such as regular antenatal checkups, proper nutrition, and early detection and management of pregnancy-related complications.
Health camps are organized in rural areas to provide free healthcare services to pregnant women and new mothers. These camps provide women with access to medical care and information about safe motherhood practices.
Seminars, workshops, and training sessions are also organized for healthcare providers to update their knowledge and skills in maternal healthcare. These events provide a platform for healthcare providers to share their experiences and challenges in providing maternal healthcare services and to learn from each other.
Challenges in maternal healthcare:
Despite the government’s and various organizations’ efforts, there are still many challenges in ensuring safe motherhood practices in India. Lack of awareness and education among women and their families, especially in rural areas, is a major barrier to accessing proper healthcare services. Many women still prefer to give birth at home without the assistance of a trained healthcare provider, which increases the risk of complications and maternal mortality.
Poor infrastructure and inadequate staffing in healthcare facilities, especially rural areas, also challenge providing quality maternal healthcare services. The shortage of trained healthcare providers and the lack of proper equipment and supplies in healthcare facilities further exacerbates the problem.
History of National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD)
National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) is celebrated in India every year on April 11 to raise awareness about maternal health’s importance and reduce maternal mortality rates. The day was first observed in 2003, following a call to action by the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, a global coalition of maternal health advocates.
The idea for NSMD originated in response to the high maternal mortality rate in India, which was estimated to be one of the highest in the world at the time. The Indian government initiated the campaign with various stakeholders, including health organizations, civil society groups, and media outlets.
The first NSMD was observed on April 11, 2003, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi, the wife of Mahatma Gandhi, who was a symbol of courage and sacrifice for women’s rights in India. Since then, NSMD has been observed every year to promote safe motherhood practices, raise awareness about the health and well-being of mothers and newborns, and encourage the use of maternal health services.
Over the years, NSMD has been marked by various initiatives and programs to improve maternal and child health. These have included health camps, awareness drives, training programs for healthcare providers, and the launch of new health schemes and policies.
NSMD has helped to focus attention on the critical issue of maternal health in India and has contributed to reducing maternal mortality rates in the country. However, despite progress, India still has a long way to go to ensure that all women have access to safe and quality maternal health services.
The theme of National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD)
National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) is observed in India on April 11 every year. The theme of NSMD varies yearly, focusing on promoting maternal and child health. The theme of NSMD 2023 is “Remain at home amid coronavirus, protect mother and infant safe from coronavirus.” The theme states that it is important to prioritize the safety of mothers and infants during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; it is also crucial to note that safe motherhood goes beyond just protecting against the virus.
Safe motherhood ensures women access to quality maternal healthcare, including prenatal care, skilled attendance during childbirth, and postnatal care. It also involves addressing social determinants of health, such as poverty, education, and gender inequality, that can impact maternal and infant health outcomes.
While staying at home and taking precautions against COVID-19 is important, it is also crucial to ensure that essential maternal healthcare services remain accessible and available to all women, particularly those from marginalized communities who may already face barriers to healthcare access. It is essential to prioritize safe motherhood as a critical public health and well-being component.
In 2021, the theme of National Safe Motherhood Day was “Stay at home, stay safe, and save lives: Ensuring continuity of maternal healthcare during COVID-19 pandemic.”
The theme highlighted the need to ensure pregnant women receive medical care and attention during the pandemic, as many hospitals and healthcare facilities were overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.
The theme also emphasized the importance of promoting home-based care for pregnant women, encouraging them to follow healthy practices, and seeking medical attention if necessary.
Overall, the theme aimed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by pregnant women during the pandemic and promote measures to ensure their safety and well-being.
Quotes on National Safe Motherhood Day
- “A solid mother implies a sound family, and a solid family implies a sound country. We should focus on safe parenthood.”
- “Each mother merits a protected and solid pregnancy and conveyance. How about we cooperate to guarantee that each lady approaches the consideration she really wants.”
- “On Public Safe Parenthood Day, we should recollect that each mother has the option of protected and differential consideration, and that together we can make that a reality for all ladies.”
- “The well-being and prosperity of moms is fundamental for the well-being and prosperity of their families and networks. We should focus on safe parenthood on this significant day.”
- “Safe parenthood is a major common liberty. We should utilize this day to bring issues to light and make a move to guarantee that each lady approaches the consideration she wants to have a protected and solid pregnancy and conveyance.”
How to Celebrate National Safe Motherhood Day 2023
National Safe Motherhood Day observed on April 11 every year in India to raise awareness about women’s maternal health and well-being.
Here are some ways to celebrate this day:
1. Spread awareness:
Educate people about the importance of safe motherhood, maternal health, and the significance of antenatal care. Share information about the various government schemes, policies, and programs to ensure safe motherhood.
2. Organize health camps:
Arrange health camps for pregnant women in your community. Please provide them with basic healthcare services like checkups, vaccinations, and nutritional counseling.
3. Engage with mothers:
Connect with new mothers in your community and celebrate motherhood. Offer support and resources for postpartum care, including mental health and breastfeeding support.
4. Host seminars and workshops:
Conduct workshops and seminars on safe pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care. Invite healthcare experts, doctors, and midwives to participate and share their knowledge.
5. Share stories:
Share inspiring stories of women who have successfully navigated pregnancy and childbirth, especially in challenging situations. Highlight their struggles and achievements to inspire others and encourage safe motherhood practices.
6. Advocate for change:
Use your voice to advocate for better maternal healthcare policies and programs. Lobby with local and national government officials to ensure maternal healthcare is a top priority.
Importance of National Safe Motherhood Day
1. Maternal mortality:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 830 women die daily due to pregnancy and childbirth complications. In India, the maternal mortality rate is 122 per 100,000 live births. National Safe Motherhood Day helps draw attention to maternal mortality and the need to improve maternal health care.
2. Child health:
Safe motherhood is important not only for the mother but also for the child. Poor maternal health can have long-lasting effects on the health and development of the child. By promoting safe motherhood, we can ensure children’s healthy growth and development.
3. Empowerment of women:
Women are the backbone of every society. When women are healthy, families and communities thrive. National Safe Motherhood Day provides an opportunity to empower women by promoting their health and well-being.
4. Improved healthcare:
National Safe Motherhood Day reminds healthcare providers and policymakers to prioritize maternal health. It encourages them to provide women with better healthcare facilities and services, especially in rural and remote areas.
5. Awareness:
National Safe Motherhood Day helps to create awareness among the general public about the importance of safe motherhood. It educates people about the various issues related to maternal health and how they can help to improve the health of mothers and their children.
Conclusion
National Safe Motherhood Day is an important annual observance that seeks to raise awareness about improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality rates. The day celebrated in India on April 11 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement and a strong advocate for women’s health.
The theme for National Safe Motherhood Day usually centered around improving access to quality maternal healthcare services, promoting maternal health education, and addressing social, economic, and cultural barriers that contribute to poor maternal health outcomes.
FAQs
Q1. Why National Safe Motherhood Day celebrated?
National Safe Motherhood Day celebrated to spread awareness about the importance of maternal health and reduce maternal mortality in India.
Q2. What are some key issues related to maternal health in India?
Some key issues related to maternal health in India include inadequate access to healthcare facilities, lack of awareness about maternal health, and socio-economic factors affecting maternal health outcomes.
Q3. What some of the initiatives taken by the government to improve maternal health in India?
The government has launched several initiatives to improve maternal health in India, including the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), which provides free transport, drugs, and diagnostic services to pregnant women, and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMKVY) which provides financial assistance to pregnant and lactating women.
Q4. How can we create awareness about maternal health?
Creating awareness about maternal health can done through various mediums such as social media, community outreach programs, and educational campaigns. To ensure a wider reach, it is important to involve healthcare professionals, NGOs, and government organizations in these initiatives.
