The minister emphasized tracking all high-risk pregnancies, timely ANC registration, and implementing focused interventions as maternal and infant mortality rates remain above the state average
SHIVAMOGGA
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundurao has directed officials in Shivamogga district to take strong and urgent steps to reduce both maternal and infant mortality rates. Speaking at a health department progress review meeting held at the DHO office on Sunday, he stressed that ensuring a balanced sex ratio must also be treated as a top priority.
The minister said high-risk pregnant women must be tracked 100 percent and ANC registration should be completed within the required time. He noted that the district’s maternal mortality rate stands at 80, while the infant mortality rate is 15.1. Although the infant rate is slightly lower than last year, both figures are still higher than the state average, calling for focused interventions.
He directed officials to study the low birth numbers in Soraba, Shivamogga, and Bhadravati and check if any illegal gender detection practices are occurring. Delayed ANC registrations should also be reviewed, and detailed reports must be submitted.
Gundurao noted that births in Community Health Centres remain low. He said obstetricians and anaesthetists from low-performing CHCs may be shifted to taluk hospitals to ensure 24/7 services. Strengthening taluk hospitals, he said, would reduce the load on the District Megan Hospital.
The minister reviewed immunisation, noting that the district’s MR vaccination rate is 91 percent—below the state’s 95 percent average. He directed officials to raise the coverage and review vaccination in private hospitals.
Under the AMPK program, screening of over 1.14 lakh students revealed mild to severe anaemia, for which treatment is ongoing. The Home Health Program, unique to Karnataka, has diagnosed several chronic diseases, including diabetes, kidney issues, breast cancer, and cervical cancer. He urged health workers to improve door-to-door screening.
Gundurao also warned officials to stay alert about Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), as 72 positive cases and two deaths have been recorded this year. A new testing lab will soon open in Sirsi. Disease updates on dengue, malaria, chikungunya, TB, and leprosy were also reviewed.
The meeting was attended by district health officials and medical officers.
