Infant mortality is unacceptable because we are living in 21st century in which medical aid and advice are freely available. Unawareness among expectant mothers is one of the root causes of infant mortality. What we need badly is to educate the would-be mothers thoroughly of how they are to conduct themselves during the pregnancy period and after delivery child care. It is the duty of the Social Welfare and Health Departments of how they would conduct the assignment.
Secondly, we are short of maternity hospitals taking into account the population of the State. Just a casual visit to the Lal Ded Maternity Hospital in Srinagar will reveal the state of chaos with which expectant mothers and the kith and kin who accompany them for assistance are confronted. We need more maternity hospitals not only in urban areas but also in rural areas. The condition of expectant mothers in rural areas is still worse. In many cases they have to travel scores of miles before they are able to find admission to the district or sub-district hospitals for delivery. Again, most of our district and sub-district hospitals are not equipped adequately to handle delivery cases. In many of them there are no gynaecologists, leave aside the necessary equipment and medicines. All these combine contribute to infant mortality. Loss of an infant is a loss not only to the parents and the family but also to the nation. We cannot afford that.
The Minister in charge of Health told the Upper House that more than 2,000 infant deaths had occurred in the State during 2015-16. This was higher than the deaths reported in the previous year. The Minister informed the House that new born care centres had been established in all district hospitals. That is fine and welcome but the question is whether these centres are actually functional and whether necessary equipment is provided there. Above all, it is to be found out whether there are experts and gynaecologists posted in these centres to take care of expectant mothers and new born infants. The Health Department should conduct a survey of these centres and report to the Minister on how many of these are functional and what equipment they stand in need of which could be provided to make the entire scheme effective.
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