Concerned over the precarious health issues in the district, just one year back, Rayagada district administration under the leadership of district Collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar made a roadmap for decreasing Infant Mortality Rate(IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate(MMR) and presented it before the public in the presence of people’s representatives and other health personnel. This was a district specific initiative called “Ama Sankalpa”, literally means our promise.
After passage of one year, Guha, who was hell bent in minimizing the health hazards in the district, has again gone to the public to showcase the achievement. This is again in the presence of people’s representatives, the Special Health Secretary, the RDC, all health personnel of the district and locals. People have appreciated the sign of transparency and self appraisal.
While eleven cases of maternal death have occurred, the infant death cases have decreased to 49 during this financial year up to August. This achievement was possible by taking up various steps like creating 14 additional delivery points for facilitating institutional delivery. Sixty per cent of the tasks assigned to 25 poor performing sub-centres have improved paving the way to decrease in IMR and MMR. 449 high risk pregnant women were identified and provided required services after tracking them and ensuring institutional delivery by linelisting them at CHC levels. Apart from eight Maa Gruha, where the pregnant mothers are housed for a week or so prior to the institutional delivery, three special Maa Gruhas have been established under Ama Sankalpa in three strategic points in Putasing, the abode of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group(PVTG) called lanjia Saura, Padmapur and Muniguda.
A double fortified salt containing iron and calcium has been introduced recently in the district which will be helpful in improving the nutritional status of adolescents, children and pregnant women. The salt will be a part of meals in the schools and anganwadi centers. The Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) under Sub-Divisional Hospital (SDH) at Gunupur has been upgraded from five bedded to ten bedded to accommodate severely acute malnourished children. There is continuous screening of red zone children and linelisting at CHC levels and referral to NRCs through Mobile Health Units and RBSK. For 123 special Village Health and Nutrition Day (VHND) sessions, tents have been provided to ensure quality Mamata Diwas.
last but not the least, two bike ambulances have been introduced in two most difficult areas like Parsali under Niyamagiri Hill Range and Putasing where PVTGs like Dangaria Kandhas and lanjia Sauras reside.