Promoting Safe Motherhood

Dr Duru Shah (fourth from right) lending her support to the Safe Motherhood campaign

The Federation of Obstretics and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), under the aegis of its dynamic President Dr Duru Shah has been closely working on the cause of spreading awareness on 'Safe Motherhood' by undertaking various campaigns dedicated to combat maternal mortality in India. In partnership with AstraZeneca India, FOGSI has embarked upon 'Suprabhat Ganga Yatra', along the Ganges, to conduct health camps in over 100 cities to spread awareness about safe delivery and motherhood among rural women. The 2,400-km walkathon has 30-40 FOGSI members walking 20 kms daily along the Ganges, starting from the Gangasagar to Gaumukh to Gangotri. "Reducing maternal mortality is not solely about saving women's lives, it is about increasing the general quality of care and the information mothers-to-be receive before becoming pregnant. Educating the youth, particularly young women about pregnancy management, will help them and the professionals treating them, by empowering them to make responsible choices and will allow them to lead healthy lives for themselves and their children," she says.