VIJAYAWADA: The Health and Medical Department shifted 6,166 pregnant women nearing their expected delivery dates to hospitals in advance in view of the impact of Cyclones Murasu and Arnab. Of them, 2,924 women, accounting for 47.42 per cent, have already delivered their babies.
The department made arrangements to protect pregnant women, new mothers and newborn babies from the impact of the successive cyclones.
Women whose delivery dates were approaching were identified with the help of field-level medical staff and shifted to hospitals close to their residences to ensure uninterrupted medical care and avoid transportation difficulties during the storms.
In the 13 districts affected by Cyclone Murasu, 3,066 pregnant women were shifted to hospitals, of whom 1,705 (55.61 per cent) have delivered. The highest number of deliveries was reported in Chittoor, Nellore and East Godavari districts.
Similarly, 3,100 pregnant women were shifted to hospitals in the 20 districts affected by Cyclone Arnab. Of them, 1,219 (39.32 per cent) have delivered. Officials identified women whose expected delivery dates fell between October 25 and November 8 to ensure timely medical assistance. Visakhapatnam recorded the highest number of deliveries at 124, followed by Kakinada (110), Manyam (108) and NTR district (106).
The department also gave special attention to high-risk pregnancies, women suffering from severe anaemia and those carrying twins. They were shifted to primary health centres, community health centres, area hospitals, district hospitals and government general hospitals under the supervision of medical officers.
The authorities deployed 108 ambulances, Thalli-Bidda Express vehicles and other transport, including private vehicles wherever necessary. Arrangements were made to shift 550 pregnant women preparing for delivery at private hospitals to the respective institutions.
In one such instance, a normal delivery was conducted at Marripudi Primary Health Centre in Prakasam at 5.58 pm on November 4. A baby girl weighing 2.5 kg was born, and both the mother and child were reported to be healthy.
KVN Chakradhar Babu, Commissioner of the State Health and Family Welfare Department, said medical officers, ANMs and ASHA workers worked to identify pregnant women and facilitate their advance shifting to hospitals and ensure availability of medical services in cyclone-hit areas.
Pregnant women with near due date shifted
KVN Chakradhar Babu, Commissioner of the Health Department, said medical officers, ANMs and ASHA workers worked to identify pregnant women and facilitate their advance shifting to hospitals and ensure availability of medical services in cyclone-hit areas
