Teach, Train and Transfer - the 3Ts were the leitmotif of the conference the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at MGIMS had organized to popularise E-Partography in labour rooms. Dr Vinay Jain, a board-certified medical oncologist and Ms Jennifer Lowe, Program Manager, representing Jiv Daya Foundation flew from Dallas to Sevagram for the one day update. Jiv Daya Foundation—founded by Dr Vinay and Kanika Jain in 2002 and located in Dallas, Texas—funds novel interventions and services related to the maternal health, pediatric oncology and palliative care.
The foundation awarded a research grant to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at MGIMS to validate the concept of e-Partography in its labour rooms and to assess if this tool could positively transform safe childbirth by enabling front-line providers to more rapidly assess and respond to labor complications and receive crucial guidance to save the lives of women and newborns.
Partographs are decision-making tool that allow labour progress to be graphically recorded and visually assessed. Simple-to-use, handheld, paperless, and affordable, Partographs have been designed to aid hospital-based labour care providers in the early detection of abnormal labour progress. They have been shown to cut down prolonged labour, oxytocin use and Caesarean sections. They also prevent or manage complications during labour.
Over a day-long conference, several speakers—countrywide— spoke on the history of Partographs, WHO Partographs, mobile programs, and decision making in labour management. The participants learnt that e-partography can promote logical human resource allocation, facilitate clinical supervision and support record-keeping. Dr Shuchi Jain, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, moderated a panel discussion on Safe birthing practices. Dr Poonam Varma- Shivkumar, Dr Surekha Tayade and Dr Rajesh from Mamta Foundation played a key role for the success of the conference.
Two orations, by distinguished academicians from MGIMS, followed. Dr S Chhabra, Director Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology delivered Dr P Nayar Oration on labour complications and maternal mortality. Dr BS Garg, Director Professor of Community Medicine also delivered a Dr Sushila Nayar oration on Community Obstetrics and Partograph- Way Forward.
Earlier, in a department meeting, Ms Jennifer Lowe and Ms Poonam Daryani explained the role of Jiv Daya Foundation in India and its collaboration with MGIMS. Dr S Chhabra, Dr Poonam Varma - Shivkumar, Dr Pramod and Dr VB Bengal also spoke in the meeting. Doctors from the primary health centers and public health officers also attended the meeting and carried the message home that E-Partogram empowers health systems to bring quality services closer to women and their families – a crucial best practice.