Rohini, District Health and Family Welfare Officer, said recently that there were 64 cases of infant mortality in Udupi district from December 2015 to this April.
She was speaking at a review meeting on health matters at the District Offices Complex, here.
Dr. Rohini said that two cases of maternal mortality had been reported in the district this year. Last year, the maternal mortality in the district stood at 10.
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Pregnant women were being given nutritious food in government hospitals. Required injections, protein supplements and eggs were being given to pregnant women having lesser weight, she said.
R. Vishal, Deputy Commissioner, said that the Health Department should give clear reason for the cases of infant mortality in the district. It should also formulate an integrated action plan to prevent cases of infant mortality.
If there was any case of infant mortality, clear reason should be mentioned in the report submitted to the district administration.
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Target
Cases of maternal mortality should be brought done to zero in the district by next year. There was room for improvement in providing better service to reduce both maternal and infant mortality, he said.
Dr. Rohini said that the doctors were doing their best to prevent incidents of maternal and infant mortality. Low weight was one of the reasons for infant mortality, she said.
Dr. Vishal said that the department should form a plan to prevent low weight in babies. He said that district unit of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) was being strengthened. The Kundapur unit of IRCS should improve its performance. He directed the Assistant Commissioner to supervise the functioning of blood banks.
Houses
He informed the meeting that 59 houses were being constructed for persons living with HIV. He directed the CEO of zilla panchayat Priyanka Mary Francis and tahsildars to provide sites to remaining applicants soon.
Issue relating to Arogya Kavacha, communicable diseases, health facilities for endosulfan affected persons also figured in the meeting. The officers of Health Department, private hospitals and voluntary organisations were present.