Dr K K Kaushik
Muzaffarpur: The death of 207 newborns and 72 pregnant women in the state government hospitals in Muzaffarpur district during last five months has become a matter of serious concern to the district administration. DM Dharmendra Singh has asked for reports from all the blocks in this connection. The health authorities are, however, yet to initiate steps to check maternal-child mortality rate in the district.
Only SKMCH, Muzaffarpur, and primary health centres (PHCs) at Marwan and Aurai have so far reviewed the maternal-child mortality rate. District Immunisation Officer (DIO) claimed that the newborns had died in the absence of cold chain system. Meanwhile, the district administration has asked the doctors posted at PHCs to stay at the block headquarters. Civil Surgeon Dr Lalita Singh has also asked for maternal-child death review report from all the blocks. The newborns should be embraced by the mother within hours of their birth as the warmth of mother will protect the infant, the Civil Surgeon said. The health department has decided to start Kangaroo Care Corner Scheme in the district.