Patna: Mobile maternity homes! It may sounds bizarre, but it is true. The Government of Bihar has set up mobile maternity homes in five worst flood affected districts of north Bihar to take care of pregnant women.

"At present 30 expected women are undergoing treatment at Pirnagra maternity home situated on the Khagaria-Madhepura border," Khagaria Superintendent of Police (SP) Kamal Kishore Singh said.
 
He said a woman doctor with adequate number of para-medical staff has been deputed to look after pregnant women. A posse of armed force has also been deployed outside the home to provide security to women admitted to the home.

Singh, once himself a medical practitioner attached to the Patna Medical College and Hospital, visits the maternity home of and on to ensure proper medicare of these women, who have lost everything in the recent flood.

"These women were rescued and brought to the maternity home from adjoining Madhepura, the worst among the five flood ravaged districts," the SP said.

Khagaria District Magistrate Yashodanand said more than 50 country-boats have been pressed into service to rescue expected women from flood hit villages.

"I have issued instructions to get all such women admitted to maternity homes so that they could not face any problem," he said.

But that is only one side of the story. There are women, who gave birth to children at mobile maternity homes in Madhepra, Supaul, Araria and Saharsa districts.

Meet Khushboo, wife of Ajay Kumar of Chhatapur in Supual district.

Khushboo gave birth to a baby child while being rescued by Army personnel a week ago. As soon as she complained of labour pain, the Army personnel contacted the personnel manning the mobile maternity home. A woman doctor and ANMs helped Khushboo give birth to a baby successfully.

Similar is the story of Mamta, wife of Pramod Yadav of Pratapganj. She at is at present undergoing treatment at a relief camp organised by the state government at Saharsa.

"I am thankful to the government machinery, which has been looking after me at the hour of crisis," Annu, wife of Baidnath Yadav of Kataiya village said.

Dr Sarika posted at Raghopur referral hospital said, "Many women have given birth to children before expected time. It is due to physical harassment and mental agony."

She cited the examples of Sanju Devi, a resident of Maheshpur, who gave birth to child before time.