BHUBANESWAR: Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi on Saturday directed the health officials to focus on high risk women and children, who have been identified with health complications, in remote areas of the State. Chairing a high-level meeting at the State Secretariat, Padhi asked the officials to bring high risk pregnant women, who are red card holders, to the nearby maternity centres prior to their date of delivery and provide them necessary healthcare facilities.
He advised that the help of Gaon Kalyan Samitis (GKS), which have been given an un-tied fund of `10,000 each, be taken for transportation of pregnant women to the hospital. “The GKS in remote and far off places have been provided stretcher which can be used to shift the pregnant women or sick children. The fund can also be utilised for transportation,” he said and directed that motorcycles and boat ambulances be provided in inaccessible areas.
The achievements of the State Government in reducing the IMR and MMR and getting success in immunisation were discussed at the meeting. Odisha has made significant progress in the health sector in the last 16 years. While the State is above the national average in institutional delivery, under-five mortality rate has reduced significantly.Among others, Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan, Finance Secretary TK Pandey, Health Secretary PK Meherda and Director of National Health Mission Shalini Pandit were present.