Impact of ANC checkups on Institutional Deliveries in Delhi

ANC checkups are of utmost importance when it comes to maternal health. On-time obstetric care can save lives of many mothers and new born children. But still it is one of the most ignorant factors even in the metropolitan cities like Delhi. According to HMIS report of 2014–15 only 58.6 percent of the beneficiaries availed 3 ANC checkups out of all the ANC registrations, which is ultimately affecting institutional deliveries. Results show that overall 60.2 percent of the beneficiaries preferred Government hospitals in comparison to CHC/Maternity homes due to lack of resources among CHCs. ASHAs came out to be one of the important catalyst in creating awareness regarding ANC services, about 46.8 percent of beneficiaries got information regarding ANC services through ASHAs. But overall when it comes to Delhi, only 23 percent of ANC checkups cumulated into institutional deliveries in public health facilities.