Pudukottai district tops in maternal mortality reduction

Pudukkottai: Pudukkottai district has been adjudged the best performing in the state for maternal and child health services. Five districts of Tamil Nadu - Cuddalore, Vellore, Villlupuram, Tuticorin and Pudukkottai were selected for the special place as the best performing districts, according to a release from the Pudukkottai district unit of the Tamil Nadu Health System project.  

An official release here on Saturday said that Dr A. Chandranathan, director, medical and rural health services, Tamil Nadu, presented the best performing district award to Pudukkottai at a function at Madurai on Friday. The award was received by Dr V.C. Subash Gandhi, district health systems project officer and his team of doctors.

According to Dr Subash Gandhi, in 2012-2013, the maternal mortality ratio was 87.9 per one-lakh live births, reduced to 80 in 2013-2014, and further reduced to 64 during 2014-2015. He said that till date, more than 100 high-risk mothers' tracking camps were conducted in 63 primary health centres. In these camps, all primary health centres' doctors and village health nurses advised and instructed mothers to come regularly for ante- natal check up, ultrasound scan check up, take iron and protein rich healthy diet like greens, vegetables, fruits, jaggery, iodized salt, and know about 108 ambulance service, Dr Muthulaxmi Reddy’s maternal benefit scheme, Janani-Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) and Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) vehicle services.

A model healthy lunch for antenatal mothers in every camp was also organised. Village health nurses placed details of the antenatal mothers online, he added. He said that 8158 antenatal mothers were screened by gynecologists and among them, 2340 detected as high risk with risks like pregnancy induced hypertension, anaemia, gestational diabetes, etc.

As many as 956 mothers delivered babies at government hospitals, and the rest are being kept under surveillance follow up by primary health centre doctors and village health nurses. High risks diagnosed mothers will be admitted in Comprehensive emergency obstetric & newborn care (CEMONC) centres (Ranee’s maternity wing and Aranthangi CEMONC centre) one week before the expected date of delivery.

These centres have the necessary emergency drugs, advanced equipment, blood bank, laboratory, newborn intensive care unit, and well-trained medical staff. The hard work and care of the Pudukkottai health department had reduced the maternal mortality ratio in the district, the release added.