State’s maternal mortality rate 230 against national average of 178
Concerned over a persisting high maternal mortality rate (MMR) in Odisha, the National Health Mission (NHM) has decided to expedite administering of iron sucrose injections in pregnant women in order to check anaemia-related maternal deaths in the State.
While the maternal mortality rate of Odisha now stands at 230 per one lakh mothers against national average of 178, anaemia is stated be the main reason for death of mothers in Odisha and in the county as well. Iron tablets are given to pregnant women to cure anaemia.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held under chairmanship of NHM Director Rupa Mishra here on Saturday.
According to the decision, all anaemic pregnant women residing within 30 kilometre circumference of the SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack would be brought to the medical for treatment. They would be administered iron sucrose injections at regular intervals and provided other treatments till they give births. Their transportation and various test costs would be borne by the Government, an official release said.
Currently, the pregnant women who come to the SCB are being administered iron sucrose injections instead of iron tablets, the release added. If succeeded, the programme would be implemented in all the Government medical colleges and heath centres.
Among others, Special Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Dr NK Das, Central Maternal Health Deputy Commissioner Dr Himansu Bhushan and SCB gynaecology department HoD Prof Purna Mohapatra were present.