Anaemic pregnant woman agrees to undergo treatment after four hours of cajoling by medical team

ERODE: After 12 visits to a hillock near Anthiyur in Erode district and after four hours of cajoling her on Thursday, a medical team at last succeeded in convincing an anaemic pregnant tribal woman to undergo tests and treatment.

The woman hails from a village on the Bargur Hills. There are more than 30 villages in the area. While many tribal women in this area do visit hospitals for childbirth, some choose to avoid hospital deliveries and continue to give birth at home.

To address this issue, village health nurses and part-time health workers make daily visits to the remote huts scattered on the forested hilly. Their goal is to provide guidance and support until the pregnant women can be safely transported to the primary health centre for examinations and subsequently to the govt headquarters hospital for delivery.

Mallika, 22, wife of Mathesh of Hosur Malai village in the Bargur hills, is five months pregnant now. Mallika experienced a miscarriage during her first pregnancy.

Two months ago, a doctor suggested blood transfusion as she was anaemic. She was referred to Govt Medical College and Hospital in Perundurai for a blood transfusion. “But Mallika was not ready. She did not visit the primary health centre for follow-up checkups," said district medical officer Shakthi Krishnan.

After being notified by a village health nurse about the woman’s condition, Shakti Krishnan travelled to Mallika's maternal home in Onthanai Malai village with a medical team on Thursday. There, he examined Mallika and provided guidance on the appropriate behaviour for a pregnant woman. He told her about the importance of medical tests.

He conducted several tests, including blood tests and an echo scan, and assured her that he would take her to hospital in an ambulance and drop her back at home in the same ambulance. After negotiating with Mallika for four hours, he succeeded in making her accompany him to Anthiyur Govt Hospital in an ambulance. Following tests, Mallika returned to her maternal home in Onthanai Malai village in the ambulance.

The results of the tests indicated that she was suffering from chronic blood deficiency. She was advised to visit the govt hospital for a blood transfusion.

She has been advised her to undergo regular monthly checkups at the nearby Bargur govt primary health centre.