Transit homes under the Chief Minister Safe Motherhood Schemes (CM-SMS) have proven to be a boon for high-risk pregnant women from inaccessible villages. The scheme aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Meghalaya.
Twenty-one years old Tira T Sangma, a high-risk mother from Imbegre, a remote village under the West Garo Hills District, is due to deliver her third child in Asanang PHC. This will be her first institutional birth; the other two children were born at home with the help of a traditional birth attendant and her mother.
Tira was found to be anemic when she attended a Village Health Nutrition Day (VHND) organized by the Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) and advised against homebirth.
Hence, ten days before her due date, she shifted to the Asanang transit home managed by the Mahila Asanang Self-Help Group (SHG), officially launched by Chief Minister – Conrad Sangma.
The CM-SMS scheme comprises – Setting up Transit homes for pregnant women, Mobility support for ANMs to generate awareness on preventive care for mothers and children in villages, vehicles to support transportation of pregnant women at PHCs/CHCs, compensation for time spent by attendants or Traditional Birth attendants to encourage family members to accompany the mother and stay with them.
Transit homes are accommodations located near PHCs/CHCs where high-risk pregnant women can stay to facilitate timely access to essential childbirth care and postpartum care.
These homes provide access to regular medical check-ups, medicines, supplements, and nutritional food. In these homes, mothers learn about breastfeeding, the importance of immunization, and other safe motherhood practices. The scheme launched in 2022 has established 129 Transit homes across the State, benefitting about 600 high-risk mothers.
PHCs/CHCs with existing provisions have set up these transit homes within their premises. Those without suitable facilities have sought assistance from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and local entrepreneurs to identify and provide them with these transit homes.
One of the many reasons that mothers opt for home birth rather than institutional birth is the fear of leaving their young children on their own at home for many days. Transit homes have adequate space for their children and attendants as well.
