The three-km walkathon, which started and ended at K C General Hospital, Malleswaram, was organised by the Bangalore chapter of the Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Society of India (FOGSI). Mission Director of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) S Selvakumar flagged off the event in which doctors, nurses and citizens participated.
While briefing people about the various activities undertaken by the government in improving the health of women and children, Selvakumar said that comprehensive efforts from all quarters should reach the grassroots-level.
The walkathon was aimed at creating awareness about safety of women while giving birth. The slogan, ‘No woman should die giving life’ conveyed the motto of the walkathon, he added.
Support for a cause
About 20 private nursing homes, medical colleges, corporate hospitals and medical staff from K C General Hospital and Family Planning Association of India showed their support by participating in the walkathon.
Bring down MMR
According to Dr Arulmozhi Ramarajan, one of the organisers, their motto is to bring the maternal mortality rate (MMR) from 300 to 30 in three years. Currently, the maternal mortality rate in Karnataka is 213 per 1,00,000 live births, while in India it is 254 per 1,00,000 live births. Under the Millennium Development Goals the country has vowed to bring downmaternal mortality rate to below 115 by 2015.
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