Lok Sabha Question No. 3739 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: Medical Assistance to Pregnant Women Tested COVID-19 Positive
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Arun Sao, Ranjeetsingh Naik Nimbalkar, Sudhakar Tukaram Shrangre, Sunil Kumar Singh, Vijay Baghel, Devji Mansingram Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3739 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2022

## MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO PREGNANT WOMEN TESTED COVID-19 POSITIVE

## 3739.   SHRI ARUN SAO:

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

SHRI DEVJI M PATEL:

SHRI RANJEET SINGH HINDURAO NAIK NIMBALKAR:

SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL:

SHRI SUDHAKAR TUKARAM SHRANGARE:

Will the Minister of HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- a) the number of pregnant women provided medical assistance when tested COVID positive in rural areas across various states/uts;
- b) whether  primary  health  centres  were  involved  in  providing  assistance  to  COVID  positive pregnant women and, if so, the details thereof;
- c) whether the government has noted any death among pregnant women during 2019 to 2022 for lack of treatment due to COVID pandemic;
- d) if so, the details thereof, year-wise and the corrective action taken in this regard; and
- e) whether  the  Auxiliary  Nurse  Midwife  (ANMs)  were  involved  in  providing  medical  and nutritional support during their pregnancy while also being tested COVID positive and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

## ( DR BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (e): As on 22 nd March 2022, a cumulative total of 4,30,10,971 confirmed cases of COVID19 have been reported by States/UTs in the country, however, the disaggregated data based on pregnancy status of the individual is not maintained centrally.

Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in its various guidelines/SOPs/advisories etc. has identified pregnant women and children as priority groups requiring special precautions.

Union Ministry of Health also issued a guidance note on enabling Delivery of Essential Health Services during the COVID 19 Outbreak on 14 th April, 2020 (available at:

https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/EssentialservicesduringCOVID19updated0411201.pdf) that called  for  alternate  models  for  outreach  services  like  outreach  activities  for  immunization, antenatal care, screening  for common NCDs/ communicable diseases etc.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on 27 th May, 2020 (available at: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidanceNoteonProvisionofessentialRMNCAHNServices24052 020.pdf) issued a guidance note on Essential Reproductive, Maternal,  Newborn,  Child, Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) Services during and post COVID

In an advisory dated 16 th June 2020, issued by Union Ministry of Health to all States/UTs stating that ensuring access to safe delivery and antenatal and postnatal care is a non-negotiable agenda and  emphasized  the  directives  at  all  levels  in  the  states  to  prevent  and  pre-empt  unfortunate adverse incidents.

Union Ministry of Health & FW in its 'SOP on COVID-19 Containment and Management in Peri-urban, Rural and Tribal areas' issued on 16 th May 2021 (available at: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/SOPonCOVID19Containment&ManagementinPeriurbanRural&t ribalareas.pdf)  outlines  role  of  primary  health  facilities  in  COVID-19  management  including need for regular contact with pregnant and lactating mothers by ASHA/Anganwadi Workers to ensure continuity of care.

Besides  these,  the  need  for  availability  of  non-COVID  essential  health  services  including maternal health, infant and child health issues has also been taken up with States through formal communications as well as during video conferencing with States/UTs.