In an attempt to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates in the State, the government had decided to construct a high risk pregnancy block on the Vani Vilas Hospital premises.
Health Minister U.T. Khader and Minister of State for Medical Education Sharan Prakash R. Patil on Monday laid the foundation stone for the block. Mr. Khader said the infant mortality and maternal mortality rates were important health indicators that the government was working towards reducing, particularly in North Karnataka districts.
Pregnancy treatment A press release by the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) said the high risk pregnancy block would help in treating pregnant women who have risk factors such as epilepsy, infections, blood pressure, diabetes and thyroid. Besides, women with last trimester complications could also be treated. The release also said that Vani Vilas Hospital sees around 1,700 such cases a month which are referred from outside hospitals. Pregnant women can avail treatment under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Yojna .
BMRCL’s role The block, which will include a basement, ground floor and five floors, will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 30 crore.
Out of the Rs. 30 crore, Rs. 13 crore will be given by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) and Rs. 17 crore by the State government. The construction work will be done by BMRCL as a part of the land of the Vani Vilas Hospital was given to the BMRCL.
However, Dr. Patil expressed his discontentment with the agreement.
“If I was the Minister then, I would have not accepted agreed to the agreement,” he said.
