Helpline for pregnant women receives 648 calls in 20 days

The helpline for pregnant women launched by the National Commission for Women (NCW) received about 648 calls for help in the last 20 days. The helpline was launched on April 29 under the #HappyToHelp campaign exclusively for pregnant women in emergencies.

"Till today, the helpline has saved 648 such pregnant women and their babies," NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma said. The team of 40 manage requests, including arranging oxygen cylinders, hospital beds, plasma and delivering medicines to patients.

"In its initial days, the helpline received several requests for plasma, after which we called for people who have recovered from COVID to come forward and donate plasma. People responded very positively to the NCW's call to save two lives by donating plasma for pregnant women, and currently, the helpline has plasma donors from across the country who have readily agreed to help," Sharma added.

Regarding a case where a 29-year-old pregnant woman from Bengaluru needed a ventilator bed, Sharma said, "Every authority from the district health officer to the police commissioner was contacted for arranging the ventilator. Even the highest of our officials were involved. The team also contacted the health minister's office for help. Finally, after a night-long battle, a ventilator was arranged for the patient, and she was shifted to an ICU."

The helpline now also offers teleconsultation. "The NCW called for doctors to come forward and volunteer for the cause, and at present, there are over 20 doctors who provide teleconsultation services to women free-of-cost. These doctors hail from different parts of the country so that patients can clarify their queries in their own language," she said. Though the team started with just NCW members, it now includes social workers, doctors, influencers, and celebrities to help amplify the helpline's reach.