Prevent maternal deaths: Collector to officials

Tirupati: District Collector G Lakshmisha directed the officials to take steps to prevent maternal deaths in both government and private hospitals. He warned that stringent action will be initiated on those found responsible for maternal deaths.

The Collector conducted audit on maternal deaths in his capacity as the chairman of the maternal death surveillance response committee and spoke to family members concerned, ASHA and Anganwadi workers and doctors who provided treatment when the deaths occurred. He directed them that without giving scope to even a small mistake all the treatment protocols should be followed while treating the women during delivery time. The safety of the mother and child should be given top priority. When any maternal death happens, the opinion of the parents and relatives concerned will be taken into consideration and action will be initiated on those who are negligent.

He said that Anganwadi workers should provide nutritional food to pregnant women and ANMs should ensure whether they are visiting the hospital regularly and taking proper treatment from time to time. For any maternal death from ASHA worker to doctor, everyone will be held responsible. In private hospitals also, all facilities must be provided duly following the protocols. If any problem arises in private hospitals, immediately information should be provided to the government’s high risk team. Collector Lakshmisha took the statements from the family members in connection with four maternal deaths which occurred between August 2023 and November 2023 and said that the government’s target is zero maternal deaths.

DM & HO Dr U Sreehari, Ruia Hospital superintendent Dr G Ravi Prabhu, DCHS Dr Anand Reddy, district women welfare officer Jayalakshmi, Additional DM & HO Dr C Aruna Sulochana Devi, maternity hospital superintendent Dr Parathasarathi Reddy and private hospital doctors attended the meeting.