Prenatal checkup compulsory for registered pregnant women in government hospitals- District collector Anurag Jayanthi

District Collector Anurag Jayanthi instructed the Medical Officer of the Primary Health Center and the in-charges of the sub-centres to give three or four prenatal check-ups for women after registration as pregnant and to focus on the first delivery.

The District Collector made a surprise inspection of the Tangallapally Primary Health Center on Tuesday. Later, a review of the progress of the programs implemented by the Medical and Health Department was conducted by sub-centres under the Tangallapally primary health center.

The District Collector asked the ANMs for the details of the deworming albendazole tablets distribution activity to be carried out on the 15th and 22nd of this month to mark the National Deworming Day. He asked how many children there were. As the ANMs did not give the correct answer, it was suggested to the program officer DR. Mahesh that everyone should organize training for the ANMs on this program. The ANMs were also directed to hold a meeting with the Anganwadis under their jurisdiction on the distribution of pills in this program.

Chinna Bonala, Pedduru, Chandrampet and Tangallapally sub-centres under Tangallapally Primary Health Centre. District Collector Anurag Jayanthi has ordered that 100% children aged 1-19 years in every Anganwadi center, school and junior college should take Albendazole tablets. He said that if there are worms in the stomach, the children will not get the nutrition. ANMs are advised to play an active role in this program as they are undertaking a program called Nutrition Month in the month of September to convey the importance of patronage.

The District Collector advised to be vigilant against seasonal diseases. Anyone suffering from fever symptoms should be tested immediately. If someone is suffering from seasonal diseases like typhoid and dengue, better medical services should be provided to them.

Those suffering from cough problems should be identified and tested for TB.Health department officials have been advised to do all the tests as much as possible.

The district collector reviewed the way pregnant women are registered and monitored till delivery. The ANMs were asked why the registration of pregnant women in the district was more than 93 percent while the rest were not registered. It is suggested that every pregnant woman should be registered and those registered should be monitored till delivery. They want to make maternal and child deaths zero.

District Collector Anurag Jayanthi suggested that focus should be put on the issue of conducting ANMS in the district hospital for three or four prenatal check-ups, mainly for pregnant women. He said that 60 percent of deliveries in the district are taking place in government hospitals and 40 percent are taking place in private hospitals.

But if we look at the issue of first weaning births, only 20 percent are done in government hospitals and 80% are done in private hospitals, said the district collector. The district collector said that most of the deliveries in private hospitals are done by caesarean section, which puts a financial burden on the poor people. On the other hand, infants are also likely to suffer from chronic health problems. Keeping this in mind, the ANMs should motivate the pregnant women and their family members so that the first deliveries must take place in government hospitals. As ANMs doing government service, they should feel responsible to ensure that deliveries take place in government institutions. They want to ensure that the immunization program is carried out at 100% within the Tangallapally primary health center.

The collector said that if permission is given to hire an ANM under post outsourcing in any government hospital in the district and the details of the vacant posts are provided, steps will be taken to fill them up immediately.

District Deputy Medical Officer DR. Rajitha, MCH Program Officer DR. Meenakshi, Immunization Program Officer DR. Mahesh, Tangallapally Primary Health Center Medical Officer DR. Santosh, Sub Center ANMs and hospital staff participated.