It is to draw the attention of the concerned authorities regarding the precarious situation, which has recently occurred in the maternity hospitals. I, being the witness of one of the severe cases write with a deep concern that our future generation might be in danger due to the shortage of life-saving drugs, which is used during the childbirth. If the drug is not given to the expecting mother then causality is expected.
After getting into the situation, it was evident that Oxytocin and Methylergometrine Maleate have vanished from the open market. The drugs were not available for the expecting mothers because of the relatives, who were asked to bring those, found them after a huge effort.
This is a critical condition because a shortage of these drugs has put thousands of to-be mothers’ lives at risk with an existing maternal mortality rate of 170 per 100,000 as per WHO. A healthcare system must be sufficient to produce a life-saving drug of this sensitivity.
A normal delivery cost is between Rs 10, 000 to Rs 30, 000, the said injections were available until last year for Rs 5 and Rs 10 but now the same vanished, some of the pharmacies suggested to go for an imported alternative which costs around Rs 100.
The authorities are requested to save the public from the hassle of running from pillar to post for an injection.
Tooba Jivani
