State-Level Training Workshop at GGS Medical College, Faridkot to Combat Maternal Mortality
Punjab / Faridkot : A state-level training workshop was organized at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital (GGSMCH), Faridkot, aiming to reduce maternal mortality by introducing simple yet effective technological interventions. The event was part of a collaborative project under Mission Tandrust Punjab, supported by the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change, Government of Punjab. The Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, in partnership with AIIMS Bathinda, spearheaded the initiative to address postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal deaths across India.
The workshop, attended by over 100 healthcare professionals including medical officers and gynecologists from districts Moga, Ferozepur, and Faridkot, emphasized training on low-cost interventions like the Non-Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment (NASG) and Uterine Balloon Tamponade (UBT). These tools have already proven successful in Phase I of the project in Bathinda and Faridkot, where 75 maternal lives were saved from critical PPH cases.
Inauguration and Key Addresses
Prof. (Dr.) Rajeev Sood, Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), inaugurated the workshop, applauding the collaborative efforts of GGSMCH, AIIMS Bathinda, and the Science and Technology Department. He stressed the importance of developing Indian-specific guidelines and referral protocols for managing maternal mortality.
Dr. Dapinder Kaur Bakshi, Joint Director of the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology, highlighted the project’s expansion under Phase II, which now extends to 10 additional districts. She detailed the pilot project’s achievements and the role of GGSMCH as a key implementation center for districts Moga, Ferozepur, and Faridkot. Dr. Lajya Devi Goyal, Head of the Gynecology Department at AIIMS Bathinda, outlined the collaborative hub-and-spoke model involving GGSMCH Faridkot, GMC Amritsar, and GMC Patiala, which will serve as master training centers for other districts.
Focus on Best Practices
Dr. Seema Grover Bhatti, Head of Gynecology at GGSMCH, welcomed the participants and underlined the institution’s role in implementing PPH management protocols. Civil Surgeon Faridkot, Dr. Chandrashekhar, emphasized integrating factors like anemia management, timely referrals, and high-risk pregnancy monitoring to achieve a holistic approach in reducing maternal mortality rates.
Dignitaries and Trainers
The event saw the presence of several key figures, including Dr. Meenu Singh (Executive Director, AIIMS Bathinda), Dr. R.K. Gorea (Registrar, BFUHS), Dr. Sanjay Gupta (Principal, GGSMCH), and other prominent healthcare leaders. The master trainers included Dr. Lajya Devi Goyal, Dr. Seema Grover Bhatti, and Dr. Parveen Rajora, who provided hands-on training to the participants.
This initiative reflects a significant step toward achieving better maternal health outcomes in Punjab, with a focus on scalable, cost-effective interventions and knowledge dissemination.
