Check maternal mortality during deliveries: WG DC

West Godavari District Collector, Chadalavada Nagarani, has directed doctors to ensure that no maternal deaths occur during deliveries.
During a review meeting with district health, medical, women, and child welfare department officials on Saturday, Collector Nagarani expressed concern over the increase in maternal deaths in the district compared to the previous year. She emphasised that pregnant women with a history of one or two abortions must receive close medical attention.
The Collector urged medical officers and doctors to work diligently to prevent maternal and child deaths due to lack of medical care. She called upon government hospital doctors to adhere to their schedules and give up private practice, ensuring better service to the public. Medical officers must be present at their respective Primary Health Centres (PHCs) from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, she stated.
She also stressed that medical officers should reside in the areas where they are stationed. If complaints arise regarding the unavailability of doctors in government hospitals, strict action will be taken, she warned.
Collector Nagarani highlighted the prevalence of anaemia across all age groups and urged doctors to educate the public on proper nutrition. She pointed out that early detection of high-risk pregnancies, anaemia, or other health issues is crucial, and treatment should continue until safe deliveries are ensured. The Women and Child Welfare Department must work in coordination with the Medical Department to achieve the goal of zero maternal and child deaths, she added.
The Collector also expressed concern over children’s growing dependence on junk food, identifying it as a major contributor to anaemia. She urged officials to promote healthy eating habits among children. “Reports indicate that about 7,000 people in West Godavari district are suffering from malnutrition,” she said, noting that the government is spending significant funds to provide nutritious food to the underprivileged and appealed to the public to take advantage of the resources.
District Medical Health Officer Dr. D. Maheswara Rao, District Women and Child Welfare Officer B. Sujatha Rani, and other senior officials were present at the meeting.