Udupi: Deputy commissioner Swaroopa TK stressed the need to create awareness about health education among the public and emphasised the importance of preventive healthcare to reduce diseases.She was speaking while chairing a meeting of various health department committees at the DC’s office, Rajathadri, on Tuesday. She directed officials to ensure that all pregnant women in the district are issued Tayi cards. Doctors and medical staff in hospitals should hold review meetings at their level and ensure proper care and treatment for pregnant women and newborns, to reduce maternal mortality in the district to zero, she said. She also stressed the importance of providing necessary treatment to both mother and child after delivery and referring them to higher centres if specialised care is required. Referring to the recent death of a pregnant woman, Sabista Banu, who was initially treated at Karkala Hospital and later shifted to a higher medical facility, she directed that the case be referred to a medical board for investigation. The DC instructed officials to ensure that no child is left out of the immunisation programme. She said children who missed vaccination should be identified and given vaccines on rescheduled dates. She also noted that deworming tablets were distributed to 100% of eligible beneficiaries in the district. She said that mentally ill persons found wandering on roads after losing their identity should be shifted to emergency care and recovery centres. She urged officials to publicise the helpline number 7795978883 so that the public can inform authorities if such persons are found. She also emphasised increasing tuberculosis testing to identify patients early and provide timely treatment. Swaroopa said that 64 GPs in the district were selected for gold, silver and bronze recognition this year for their efforts in tuberculosis elimination and treatment. Although blood banks in the district currently have stocks exceeding govt targets, she said more blood donation camps should be organised as patients from other districts also visit Udupi for advanced treatment. She directed officials to take steps to start blood banks soon at Byndoor, Kundapur and Udupi. She further noted that funds were already released by the govt to improve basic infrastructure at urban primary health centres and Namma Clinics. Officials were instructed to take immediate action in accordance with guidelines to develop these facilities.
