What does CEMOC mean in HEALTHCARE

Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEMOC) is a comprehensive package of care for women and newborns that covers diagnosis, treatment, interventions and follow up for complications during pregnancy, labour and delivery. It includes the provision of drugs, equipment and services for managing obstetric complications both in health institutes and homes.

CEMOC has several key benefits including improved quality of care from qualified medical professionals; access to critical medical supplies to treat obstetric emergencies such as haemorrhage, obstructed labour and eclampsia; and cost savings from earlier interventions with fewer complications resulting in less need for advanced medical services.

Women who are at risk or experience complications during pregnancy or delivery need to access CEMOC. This includes women with underlying maternal illnesses such as anaemia or high blood pressure; women with certain lifestyle conditions like obesity or smoking; women carrying more than one baby; those considered at risk due to their age (very young or aged above 35); those with a history of previous complicated deliveries; women experiencing difficulties like prolonged labour or early rupture of membranes; and any woman presenting with signs of postpartum haemorrhage.

Under CEMOC, pregnant women receive timely diagnosis, prevention, treatment, monitoring and follow-up care for acute life threatening conditions during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. Depending on individual needs it may include antenatal check-ups, rapid response teams for medical emergencies in hospitals in rural areas where specialised obstetric care is not available, medication/vaccinations to protect mother's health during pregnancy/post delivery period etc. Following childbirth all mothers have access to neonatal resuscitation services if needed.

Maternal mortality rates are closely linked to inadequate quality of care given by health systems. By providing access to high quality healthcare services and emergency medical supplies when needed most effectively reduces risks associated with childbirth leading to an overall decrease in maternal mortality rate.

Apart from reducing maternal mortality rates by providing access to effective emergency obstetrics care services , CEMOC also provides other indirect benefits such as increased awareness about health issues among the pregnant women through pre-delivery counselling classes , enhanced confidence among patient's families towards trained personnel present during delivery process etc., facilitating an overall smoother birthing experience.

Accessing comprehensive emergency obstetric care requires prior planning ahead of time before actual delivery date. It involves selecting a qualified health facility which provides necessary emergency obstetrical intervention when needed . Preference should be given to government-run health facilities which have dedicated qualified staff , adequate infrastructure like sufficient sterilisation facilities , medical equipment etc., round the clock.