Maternal, infant mortality rate on rise in Koppal district

Koppal: Koppal district in Hyderabad Karnataka region, which has been identified among High Focus Districts by the Union Government in view of poor health indicators prevailing there, has registered an alarming rise in the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in the current year.

According to sources in Koppal District Reproductive and Child Health office, as many as 242 newborns (0 to 1 year) and 12 mothers have died from April to August this year.

Sources note that maternal deaths are mainly due to anaemia, hypertension, non-availability of blood banks to administer blood, absence of doctor and staff nurse in primary health centres at the time of delivery, etc.

Despite many government sponsored health-care schemes, there is no improvement in tackling health inequalities. Since 2011, the district had registered a shocking increase in maternal mortality rate with the death of 236 mothers, 58 newborn and 66 children (aged between years 1 to 5) and this scenario continues to prevail in the district.

On condition of anonymity, Health Department officers said, Prasuti Araike, Tayi Bhagya and other schemes introduced under National Rural Health Mission for below poverty line families to provide rest, nutrition and medical care after child birth are not reaching women on time, which defeats the purpose of the scheme. The officers had cited non-release of funds on time as the reason for delay.

Besides, officers said although the government had introduced schemes, lack of infrastructure and doctors in the primary health centres was the main reason for maternal deaths.

At present, Koppal district required as many as 13 gynecologists’ and paediatricians’ each for dealing with mother and child care in government hospitals. However, there is only one gynecologist and pedestrian working in the district.

“Although there is a rural incentive scheme for doctors and a gynaecologist is offered Rs 1.20 lakh, no one is coming forward to serve and most doctors do not stay in the headquarters of the primary health centres. This is the main reason for maternal deaths as expectant mothers are deprived of timely medical care,” said a government doctor.

Pointing out that most cases were referred to private hospitals at the last minute, a source with Department of Women and Child Development said, “Most such referred patients die in private hospitals. But these deaths are not recorded by the government. If they were recorded, the actual MMR will be higher,” he added.