Udupi: Focus on bringing maternal mortality to zero

Udupi: Continuous care for pregnant women and newborns is crucial to reducing maternal mortality to zero, said Deputy Commissioner Dr. K. Vidyakumari.

Speaking at a coordination committee meeting of the health department held at the District Commissioner’s office on Friday, Dr. Vidyakumari emphasized that the government has initiated numerous schemes and programs to provide better healthcare services to the public. She urged officials to implement these programs in a timely manner according to government guidelines to improve public health.

She also called for the scientific disposal of biomedical waste at healthcare institutions, noting that agencies responsible for waste collection must be monitored to ensure compliance. Proper disposal of medical waste like used syringes, medicine bottles, and diapers is essential to prevent water pollution, she added.

Private clinics and health institutions registered under KPME should display their fee charts prominently, and the laws regarding violence against healthcare workers should be made visible, she stated. Officials should conduct regular surprise inspections, and strict legal action should be taken in cases of illegal activities like female foeticide or gender determination.

The gender ratio for the last five months stands at 1015 female births for every 1000 male births, Dr. Vidyakumari noted, stressing that efforts must continue to eliminate tuberculosis. The district has registered 45,857 people for the BCG vaccine, which will be administered as soon as the supply is received.

Several district-level officials and health officers were present at the meeting.