561 newborn care units for rural hospitals

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government will set up 561 newborn care corners in rural hospitals during the current financial year.

A decision to this effect was taken at the fifth managing committee meeting of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here at the Secretariat.

Similarly, eight more special newborn care units will be opened in the State this year.

Facilities to treat difficult pregnancy cases will be opened in 140 rural hospitals where caesarean can be performed. This will be implemented mainly in the KBK (undivided Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput) districts. Besides reducing the maternal mortality rate (MMR), this will also help bring down infant mortality rate (IMR).

In view of the large-scale absence of doctors in the hospitals in KBK districts, it was decided that 423 quarters will be constructed during the next two years.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister reiterated the State Government’s commitment to take forward health reforms with focus on equity, strengthening human resources and health infrastructure, empowerment of community and public friendly hospitals.

Naveen admitted the State Government is facing persistent challenges in its efforts to decrease MMR and IMR as well as mortality due to malaria and malnutrition. He said that it is now time the health sector concentrated and focussed on evidence-based vulnerability mapping and subsequent equity-based institutional strengthening.

Stating that the Health and Family Welfare Department must strive further to put in place people-friendly health care systems and community empowerment processes, the Chief Minister said that the concept of Gaon Swasthya Samikhya and differential approach in institutional strengthening are steps in the right direction.

While the Government is developing pro-poor policies and taking steps to increase expenditure on health sector, the real benefit to the people cannot be achieved without appropriate convergence among different departments like health, urban development, rural development, women and child development, forest and environment and panchayati raj departments, he said.

Facilities to treat difficult pregnancy cases will be opened in 140 rural hospitals, mostly in KBK, where caesarean can be done *423 quarters will be constructed in two years for doctors in KBK districts *Eight more special newborn care units will be opened in the state this year