District Collector Harendhira Prasad on Friday directed the health department officials to take adequate measures to prevent maternal and infant deaths in the district.
He conducted a review meeting on maternal and infant mortality, immunisation programmes, malaria, dengue and other health-related issues with medical officers at the Collectorate on Friday (August 1, 2025).
Mr. Prasad said that registrations of newly-wed couples, pregnant women, and infants must be recorded and instructed that special focus be given to high-risk pregnancies and low-birth-weight cases. He also asked the officials to ensure such cases receive adequate nutritional support and are shifted to hospitals in advance to avoid complications. He has also directed the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) Jagadeeswara Rao to provide proper training to ASHA and ANM workers.
During the meeting, the Collector also observed that hospitals which are conducting excessive abortions should be closely monitored and sought a detailed report on the causes of abortions. He also suggested setting up milk-feeding rooms for infants at bus stands, railway stations and shopping malls.
Strict inspections must be conducted at scanning centres to prevent gender determination tests, while stringent surveillance and special inspection teams should be deployed for IVF centres, the Collector ordered.
On malaria and dengue prevention, the Collector instructed officials to observe âDry Dayâ every Friday to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. He also stressed on the need for proper measures to prevent the spread of seasonal diseases and immunisation drives. During the meeting, the Collector released a poster marking the Breastfeeding Week celebrations.
Published â August 01, 2025 10:09 pm IST
