MP stresses need to reduce infant mortality in Udupi

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje expressed displeasure over the infant mortality rate reported in Udupi district during the Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting, held in Udupi on Friday.

“If the most literate district is not able to reduce the number of infant mortality what would be the situation in other districts?” she asked officers.

District Health Officer Dr Rohini said 68 infant mortality cases were reported this year while 135 deaths were reported in 2017. The IMR in the state is 24% while the district records the lowest infant mortality rate at 7.67%. Of the total 68 cases reported this year, 33 are boys.

As many as five community-based maternal mortality cases are reported. The hospital-based number is seven, of which two are from outside district.

Karandlaje stressed the need to take measures to reduce infant mortality rate.

NH works

The other issue discussed at the meeting was the delayed works following the construction of the national highway.

The MP demanded an elaborate explanation over the progress of the work. The Malpe-Theerthahalli national highway widening works have commenced and the proposal for Augumbe-Someshwara widening work is approved, said an officer from NH.

On the work on NH 66, the NHAI officer said a pedestrian underpass (PUP) is proposed at Basruru-Murkai junction. However, the public demand for total change in the plan with the proposed underpass in the region will not be entertained as the work has already commenced. The NHAI has written to the authorities on the proposed PUP and land needs to be acquired for the same.

The service road would be widened and would be connected to the underpass, he added.

Kundapur MLA Haladi Srinivas Shetty said the plan is nothing but the cattle pass which is inconvenient for the pedestrians to use the facility.

Karandlaje directed the Navyug Constructions and NHAI to take precautionary measures to prevent accidents on NH 66.

Assessing the success rate of Mathrupoorna Yojane, the MP said officials should chalk out plans for the effective implementation of the scheme.

Women and Child Development Department officer Gracie Gonsalves said that after seven months and post-natal period, the beneficiary is offered home delivery of services of the food under the scheme. However, before seven months, the beneficiary requires to approach the nearest Anganawadi to avail the benefits.