Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Feb 24: Deputy commissioner Swaroopa T K emphasised the need to create greater awareness among the general public about health education and preventive care. She stated that instead of seeking treatment after falling ill, people should be encouraged to take necessary precautions to prevent diseases. He also urged that immediate medical attention should be sought upon noticing any symptoms.
She was speaking while chairing a meeting of various health department committees held at the District Commissioner’s Office Hall in Manipal.
The deputy commissioner noted that the government has implemented several schemes and programmes to provide quality healthcare services to the public. These initiatives must effectively reach those in need, based on their requirements, she said.
She directed officials to ensure that every pregnant woman in the district is provided with a 'Mother Card' and receives proper health education along with regular medical check-ups. Meetings should be conducted at respective levels with doctors and medical staff in hospitals to ensure that pregnant women and newborns receive necessary treatment with utmost care. She stressed that efforts must be made to bring the maternal mortality rate in the district down to zero.
Postnatal care for both mother and child must also be ensured, and if specialised treatment is required, appropriate referrals should be made to higher medical institutions. Referring to the recent death of a pregnant woman, Sabista Banu, who was initially treated at Karkala Hospital and later shifted to a higher facility where she succumbed, she instructed that the case be referred to a medical board for investigation.
The deputy commissioner also directed that all children must receive the prescribed immunisation vaccines without fail, ensuring that no child is left out. For children who have missed vaccinations, new dates should be scheduled to complete the immunisation process. She mentioned that 100% distribution of deworming tablets has been achieved in the district.
She further stated that mentally ill individuals who have lost their identity and are found wandering on the streets should be admitted to emergency care and rehabilitation centres for proper treatment and efforts should be made to reunite them with their families. She called for wider publicity of the helpline number 7795978883 and urged the public to inform authorities if such individuals are found.
Emphasising tuberculosis control, she said that more tests should be conducted to ensure early detection and prompt treatment of patients. She informed that 64-grama panchayats in the district have been selected for gold, silver, and bronze recognition this year for their effective response towards TB eradication and treatment.
Although blood banks in the district have stocks exceeding government-set targets, she noted that patients from other districts also seek advanced medical treatment in Udupi. Therefore, more blood donation camps should be organised to ensure adequate reserves. She directed that blood bank units be started at the Mother and Child Hospitals in Byndoor, Kundapura, and Udupi at the earliest.
DC also instructed officials to take immediate action, as per guidelines, to utilise government grants already released to urban local bodies for improving basic infrastructure in Urban Primary Health Centres and Namma Clinics.
Among those present at the meeting were municipal commissioner Mahantesh Hangargi, District health and family welfare officer Dr Basavaraj Hubballi, District vector-borne disease control officer Dr Prashanth Bhat, District AIDS control officer Dr Chidananda Sanju, District surveillance officer Dr Nagarathna, District leprosy eradication officer Dr Latha Nayak, District RCH officer Dr Jyotsna B K, KMC Hospital obstetrician Dr Shyamala, neonatologist Dr Leslie Louis, specialist Dr Mukhya Prana, various district-level implementing officers, and others.