Mysuru: Deputy commissioner G Lakshmikanth Reddy on Friday directed health officials to take all necessary precautionary measures to drastically reduce infant mortality at Cheluvamba Hospital.Expressing concern over reports that 23 infants died within 48 hours of admission between Jan and March, he ordered a detailed inquiry to determine whether delays in referrals contributed to the deaths.Chairing a review meeting at the Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRI) Council Hall, he urged doctors and nursing staff to work towards bringing the monthly infant mortality rate down to zero. The DC noted that nine infant deaths were reported in Aug, eight in Dec, and nine in March, which are relatively lower compared to other months. However, he stressed that the goal should be to reduce the number further to single digits and eventually achieve zero infant deaths.Reddy also instructed officials that critical cases that cannot be handled at primary health centres or taluk hospitals should be referred immediately to higher medical facilities. He warned against keeping serious cases at lower-level hospitals for several days, stating that timely referrals can ensure better treatment and save lives.MMCRI cean Dr Dakshayani highlighted staff shortages at Cheluvamba Hospital, while officials noted that infant deaths reduced from 15 in Jan to 9 in March.
