Bengaluru: Shortage of body wraps hit government hospitals, health centres

BENGALURU: For government hospitals and public health centres (PHC) it is a challenge to transport pregnant women for delivery in a timely and healthy manner, and avoid complications like excessive blood loss. A majority of deaths during pregnancy happen due to obstetrical hemorrhage caused by blood loss while being transported to hospitals.

There is little awareness and shortage of anti-shock garments or life wraps, which can help reduce postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) mortality rates.

“The anti-shock wrap is used during transportation of patients which protects them from excessive blood loss. There is a dire need for these wraps at PHCs,” said Dr Jayanthi T., President, Bangalore Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

The society has donated over ten such wraps to some PHCs and Vanivilas Hospital. Dr Jayanthi said the state government should come forward and reduce scarcity of wraps. “It is recyclable and one patient would require one wrap,” she added.

“Whenever a woman is bleeding they put the wrap around it till she reaches the facility. We do carry out awareness campaigns, but there is a dire need for these wraps,” said Dr Sheela Mane, Senior Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Anugraha Nursing Home.

“Morbidity and mortality due to PPH are largely preventable through skilled care during childbirth. However, delays in identifying hemorrhage, in transporting the patient to hospitals and in receiving the recommended treatment, all contribute to PPH,” she added.

What is PPH?

• WHO defines PPH as a blood loss of 500 ml or more within 24 hours after delivery. It is the leading cause of maternal mortality in low-income families and of nearly one quarter of all maternal deaths globally. Most deaths resulting from PPH occur during the first 24 hours after birth.
• These wraps are highly crucial as they structure blood flow to the vital parts of the body, said Dr Jayanthi T, President, Bangalore Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.