Policy Barriers Preventing Access to Emergency Obstetric Care in Rural India

The paper is based on study of policies, research reports and experience of working in the area of maternal health over last several years. The paper describes how policies restrict basic doctors*from performing obstetric surgical procedures including caesarean section even in remote areas where there is no specialist obstetrician available. The Para-medical staffs, such as the Auxiliary Nurse Midwives are also not allowed to manage or even stabilize obstetric emergencies in rural areas. The policy also does not allow nurses or basic doctors to give anaesthesia. Paper suggests key actions needed to remove the policy barriers to emergency obstetric care.[Working Paper No. 5]