DHO's inaction over maternal deaths irks DC

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim expressed his displeasure over the non-competence of District Health Officer Dr Ramakrishna, who has failed to initiate action against the maternal deaths in the district.

He also condemned the insensitivity of the official towards preventing the deaths of pregnant women. The deputy commissioner spoke chairing the district health committee meeting at Zilla Panchayat’s Netravathi Hall in Mangaluru on Wednesday.

Ibrahim said that there have been 22 maternal deaths in the district in 2015-16. “In spite of several cases of preventable deaths, the hospitals have not taken any measures in this regard. The DHO, who is the authority to question these hospitals, has not taken any serious step to hold the hospitals responsible.
Although notices were served by the DHO, no reply was furnished by the hospitals, which shows that the competent authority has been totally negligent in questioning the hospitals,” he expressed dissatisfaction.

The deputy commissioner also noted that no meetings were conducted by the DHO in connection with maternal mortality. He also directed the DHO to book criminal case on preventive deaths in hospitals.

Lady Goschen Hospital Superintendent Dr Savitha said that the ICU in the hospital has not been in working condition.

“Several pregnant, who were admitted to the hospital in serious conditions, had to be shifted to the Government Wenlock Hospital. On several such occasions, there was delay in shifting the pregnant as the ICU was not available at the Wenlock hospital, too, as per the requirement,” she complained.

7 new buildings for PHCs

Concerned official said that seven new buildings are proposed for City Primary Health Centres in Mangaluru, under the National Urban Health Mission. Out of the seven, land has been identified for five PHCs and two sites have been handed over to the Health Department by the MCC.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer P I Srividya directed the official to procure the rest of the sites soon. Reproductive and Child Health Officer Dr Sikandar Pasha was present among others.