From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jul 17: Bringing down the infant mortality rate to 1% from the present 2% is the goal of State Government, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday.

Participating in a conference on updates in speciality paediatrics organised by the Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Bengaluru, he said the government is determined to reduce the maternal mortality rate too.

The maternal mortality rate is not coming down in the State due to the high rate in 5 to 6 districts, he lamented and said the government has identified several target taluks to improve the situation by setting separate targets for education, health care, malnutrition as well as women and child health.

Bommai said the government has taken up the task of bringing down the infant and maternal mortality rates on a war footing by selecting target districts and taluks. He urged the paediatric specialists to join hands with government in supplementing the efforts.

Special attention is being paid to eradicating the malnutrition problems, the Chief Minister said explaining that the government has been increasing budgetary outlays. ``Ours is a very sensitive government and we are working with technology based solutions to address the problems. Education, health care and other basic infrastructure facilities are given priority,’’ he said urging the youth to be skilled in technology to join the government’s efforts.

The Chief Minister stressed the need for devoting more attention to improving the health conditions of women from the time of their pregnancy till the birth of the child and also ensure better nutritional food for both the mother and child.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar, Horticulture Minister Muniyappa, Chief Minister’s Political Secretary D N Jeevaraj, Dr V P Nityanand of Rainbow Children’s Hospital and others were among the dignitaries who attended the conference.

Basavanna’s statue unveiled

The Chief Minister later unveiled the statue of Basaveshwara erected at the Basavadhana Garden near the Mysore Sandal Soap factory in Mahalakshmi Layout in the city. Siddaganga Mutt seer Sri Siddalingaswamy, Ministers Gopalaiah, V Somanna, Byrathi Basavaraj, Muniratna and former MLA N L Narendra Babu were present. 

Bommai also inaugurated the Electricity Operated Laundry Unit at Dobhighat in Manalakshmi Layout.