K'taka Dist launch prog to cut infant, maternal mortality rates

Mysore, Nov 22 (UNI) The Mysore District authorities have launched 'Madilu' health programme in an effort to bring down infant and maternal mortality rates.

'Madilu' was being implemented under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) as part of flagship reproductive and child health programme funded by the union government for the benefit of those below the poverty line.

District Deputy Commissioner N S Channappa Gowda said infant mortality rate in the country was coming down as a result of such programmes and the rate in Mysore District was on par with the national average. Efforts would continue to reduce it further.

The national average for infant mortality rate was 55 per 1000, while maternal mortality rate was 195 per one lakh mothers. In Mysore District, the infant morality was down to 43 per 1000 births and the objective was to reduce it further to 29 per 1000 births.

'Madilu' entails providing a kit worth Rs 825 free of cost for the parents of each newborn child. The kit would contain 19 ingredients useful for the child and the mother.

However, this programme would be available only for those who undergo delivery in government hospitals or primary health centres and through registered mid-wives in rural areas, he added.

This programme was being extended to all districts in the state and would aim at providing quality healthcare to mother and child through positive intervention based on the needs of the community members.

The project was also expected to strengthen the infrastructure for service delivery and would provide additional assistance to the BPL families ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential drugs.

UNI