Despite repeated approaches to the authorities, the Health Department and the Women and Child Development Department are not paying attention to problem of newborn babies’ death in Kandhamal district.
As per Government report, a total of 7,966 babies have died in last seven years - 1,229 in 2009, 1,213 in 2010, 1,081 in 2011, 1,222 in 2012, 1,088 in 2013, 1,119 in 2014 and 964 in 2015. However, the concerned department is not taking the matter seriously, allege locals.
Sources said 105 babies died last year only in the district hospital here and 226 newborns died within four months raising serious concern in the district. Despite this, no step has been was taken by the district administration in this regard.
An Asha worker said most of the pregnant women coming from rural area to hospital are neglected, for which the babies die before and after birth. Besides, the women are not being sensitized on how and why mother milk is required for new born baby.
Action should be taken against the doctors and staffs, whose negligence lead to newborns’ death. The after birth death rate is high in compression to death rate before birth during the last seven years.