Childcare service in Anantnag District Hospital is in bad shape. It has evoked criticism bordering on inefficiency and incompetence of Health Department. No fewer than 77 infant and four maternal deaths are reported during the first six months of this year. This is unacceptable. Hospital authorities, replying to an RTI filed by a private citizen have given various diseases as the cause of these fatalities. However, considering the huge number of fatalities taking place in a hospital demands a probe into the reasons of these deaths. The Health Department should have ordered an inquiry into the cause of increasing number of infant mortality and maternal mortality. We are living in an age of science and medical services have developed immensely with the result that life span has increased and infant mortality has come down substantially. It is owing to awareness of the parents, the patients and the attendants. Above all, the physical condition of a hospital plays an important role in childcare.
Anantnag District Hospital has low intake capacity under Mother Child Hospital scheme. This hospital caters to not only local patients but also patients from remote villages of the district also. As such, there is huge rush of patients putting pressure on services. The MCH receives more than 30 delivery cases every day and 1000 deliveries performed every month. In addition, there are only 14 post-operative beds available in the MCH. There is not a single ventilator available at the MCH Anantnag and most deaths occur owing to lack of the life support system. The MCH has only single theatre that is operating at present while there is dire need of another theatre in view of is heavy patient rush. Over crowding, air pollution and water contamination and unhealthy environs all combine to take heavy toll of infants and mothers. The society cannot bear big loss of infants in a short span of six months.
We would appeal the Health Department to take cognizance of ground situation in the Mother Child Hospital in Anantnag and provide it with necessary infrastructure that would help in preventing infant mortality. This has to be done as top priority.
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