Karnataka Govt directs hospitals to ensure blood availability to strengthen maternal care

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Government has issued new directives for all public health institutions providing delivery care, aiming to address critical gaps in maternal and newborn healthcare. Hospitals are now mandated to ensure the uninterrupted availability of blood and blood products through advanced tie-ups with nearby blood banks to prevent delays during emergencies. According to the news reports, the order, issued on Thursday, follows findings from a recent maternal death audit report that highlighted systemic and administrative shortcomings in healthcare delivery.Also Read:Five maternal deaths since 2021: Trichy hospital faces one-month suspensionUnder the new directives, hospitals are required to have advance agreements with at least two to three government or licensed private blood banks to ensure immediate procurement and transport of blood during emergencies. The order also mandates that 25% of blood collected in donation camps must be supplied to government facilities, with district health officials responsible for monitoring compliance.To strengthen emergency obstetric care, the government has mandated that specialist doctors reside at their designated headquarters, instead of commuting from distant locations. Specialists will be required to log their attendance twice daily, at 10 am and 10 pm, if complaints arise regarding their absence.
The order bars the deputation of gynaecologists from hospitals where only one specialist is available. “Such doctors must not be assigned to laparoscopic tubectomy operation (LTO) camps or other surgical programmes, ensuring uninterrupted maternal and emergency obstetric care,” the order stated, reports TOI.
Furthermore, the government has reiterated the compulsory use of the ARC partograph system, a digital tool that tracks labour in real time to flag potential complications early. The order warns that non-compliance will be treated as serious negligence and may lead to withholding of incentives.Also Read:Karnataka aims for Zero Maternal deaths, allocates Rs 320 croreMedical Dialogues had previously reported that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced a significant allocation of Rs 320 crore to reduce the preventable maternal mortality rate to zero in the state.