Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim directed the Health Department officials to find out reasons for the rise in the number of maternal mortality cases in the district.
Chairing a meeting on health mission at his office on Monday, he said 15 cases of maternal mortality have come to light between April and October in the district this year. Among this, investigation has been conducted into 12 cases, he added.
Last year, the number of such death cases was six and it has increased this year, he said and directed the district health officer (DHO) to serve notices to the respective hospitals based on the investigation report.
He said the health officers have to provide their explanations along with the explanation given by the hospitals, as to why counseling was not provided pregnant women.
The failure of primary health centres, doctors and anganwadi workers in managing the situation is visible. It is unfortunate that the health system has succumbed in the hometown of the health minister. The officials, who boast about the district being a forerunner in all fields, have to introspect themselves, he added.
District Surgeon Dr Rajeshwari Devi, referring to the report submitted after conducting visit to the hospitals, said the lack of basic amenities in the hospitals is the reason for the maternal mortality cases. In several hospitals, there is a shortage of trained nurses and in several others, there are no gynaecologists, she added.
DHO Dr Ramakrishna Rao said the average infant mortality in Dakshina Kannada district is 10.2 (per thousand cases) while that of Kasargod and Udupi are 8.5 and 7.3 respectively. In the country, the infant mortality stands at 40. In the State, it is 31 and in Kerala, it is 12. In the district, 161 infants have died between April and October this year, he added.
Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer P I Sreevidya said notices should be served to the hospitals for not appointing doctors and not providing basic facilities.
Surveillance Officer Sikandar Pasha was present.
