The State government will set up a Centre of Excellence in neonatal and maternal care in Tiruchi and Tirunelveli at a cost of Rs.20 crore each, according to C.Vijaya Baskar, Minister for Health.
Speaking to reporters here on Sunday after inspecting the facilities available for neonatal and maternity care at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) in the city, he said a maternity centre would also be set up at Pudukottai at a cost of Rs.20 crore. The government had already given sanction for the projects, and the sites for constructing them had been earmarked, he said. Stating that the centres would be big boost to the people living in and around the three districts, he said the integrated buildings would have all facilities for child and mother care. The construction works would commence soon, he said.
The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) was low in the State compared to other States in the country, Mr. Baskar said. The number of deaths of children less than one year of age per 1,000 live births in the State was just 21 as compared to the national average of 40, he said. In Tiruchi district, it was 12 per 1,000. In appreciation of the State government’s success in bringing down the IMR , the Central government had released Rs.134 crore as special grant to the State last year.
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The government hospitals have been receiving new born babies with various kinds of complications, including umbilical cord strangulation, low birth weight, and preterm birth. However, instructions had been given to the health officials to take effective steps to extend maximum care to the newborns and their mothers.
The government had decided to appoint 2,160 doctors for filling up vacancies in different government facilities. In addition to this, 1,862 specialists would also be appointed soon, he said.
T.P. Poonachi, Minister for Khadi and Village Industries, and Collector Jayashree Muralidharan were present.
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