Rescuing mothers and newborns

Dawn.com Published March 8, 2012
Women who have recently given birth and their relatives are pictured through a nurse's observation window as they rest in a post delivery ward at a district hospital in Shivpuri, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 25, 2012
Women who have recently given birth and their relatives are pictured through a nurse's observation window as they rest in a post delivery ward at a district hospital in Shivpuri, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 25, 2012
A woman, who recently gave birth, sits on a bed along with her new born baby in the post delivery ward at a district hospital in Shivpuri, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 25, 2012.
A woman, who recently gave birth, sits on a bed along with her new born baby in the post delivery ward at a district hospital in Shivpuri, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 25, 2012.
Aklesa Yadav (L), 21, and Phulwati, 27, who have both given birth hours earlier, lie in the post-delivery ward at a community health centre in the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Aklesa Yadav (L), 21, and Phulwati, 27, who have both given birth hours earlier, lie in the post-delivery ward at a community health centre in the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Dakshri, a 23-year-old woman who has just given birth to a child, sits on a bed in the post-delivery ward at a community health centre in the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Dakshri, a 23-year-old woman who has just given birth to a child, sits on a bed in the post-delivery ward at a community health centre in the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Suman, a 25-year-old pregnant woman, stands on a weighing scale during a check up at a community health centre in the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Suman, a 25-year-old pregnant woman, stands on a weighing scale during a check up at a community health centre in the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Aklesa Yadav, a 21-year-old woman who has just given birth to a baby, returns to her home in a rural area near the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Aklesa Yadav, a 21-year-old woman who has just given birth to a baby, returns to her home in a rural area near the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
A relative of Aklesa Yadav, a 21-year-old woman who has just given birth, carries her new born baby out of a maternity ambulance as they return home at a rural area near the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
A relative of Aklesa Yadav, a 21-year-old woman who has just given birth, carries her new born baby out of a maternity ambulance as they return home at a rural area near the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Anguri, a 26-year-old pregnant woman who just gave birth, rests on a bed along with her newborn baby in the post delivery ward at a community health centre in the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Anguri, a 26-year-old pregnant woman who just gave birth, rests on a bed along with her newborn baby in the post delivery ward at a community health centre in the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Anguri (R), a 26-year-old pregnant woman in labour, climbs into a waiting maternity ambulance as her relatives stand near her in a rural area near the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Anguri (R), a 26-year-old pregnant woman in labour, climbs into a waiting maternity ambulance as her relatives stand near her in a rural area near the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Anguri (L), a 26-year-old pregnant woman in labour, steps on stones to cross a river while holding a sickle in her hand as she tries to reach a waiting maternity ambulance in a rural area near the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Anguri (L), a 26-year-old pregnant woman in labour, steps on stones to cross a river while holding a sickle in her hand as she tries to reach a waiting maternity ambulance in a rural area near the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Phulwati, 27, who has given birth hours earlier, lies a bed in the post-delivery ward along wth her newborn baby at a community health centre in the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
Phulwati, 27, who has given birth hours earlier, lies a bed in the post-delivery ward along wth her newborn baby at a community health centre in the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
A woman who has recently given birth, cries outside her home in the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.
A woman who has recently given birth, cries outside her home in the remote village of Chharchh, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, February 24, 2012.

In rural Madhya Pradesh, an innovative free maternity ambulance service called "Janani Express", which runs in partnership between the state government and the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), is trying to increase the number of babies born in clinics where proper care can be provided to the mothers and newborn children, and infant mortality can be decreased.

Before this initiative, women would have been left to give birth in the fields or on mud floors. Now, the free ambulance brings pregnant women across dusty roads to health clinics where they can give birth safely under basic medical supervision, be nursed afterwards and educated on the importance of breastfeeding and hygiene before returning to their villages and communities.

The United Nations' International Women's Day is being celebrated today March 8, 2012. — Photos by Reuters

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