'Guidance System Being Introduced To Control Mortality'

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Mar, 2017 ) : Secretary Primary and Secondary Health Punjab, Ali Jan Khan said in order to improve the health of child and mother besides controlling the mortality rate of pregnant women, newborns, information management system was being utilized for the messages based on guidance regarding neonatal and postnatal care and food.

Lady health workers were rendering their services efficiently in this regard, he added. He said portable ultrasound machines were also being provided in basic health centers. All out resources were being utilized for reducing mortality rate among pregnant women and new born babies, he added.

He expressed these views during a briefing based on study regarding health and death rate of mother and child in district Chakwal of Punjab and district Sawabi of KPK by Georgia University America's Prof.

Dr. Musharaf Rasool Sayan. Provincial Director of IRMNCH Dr. Mukhtar Hussain Syed, Director Mother and Child Programme Dr. Akhter Rashid Malik, Member Health P&D Dr. Shabana Haider, Additional Secretary Health Technical Dr.

Asim Altaf and other officers were present on the occasion. Prof. Dr. Musharaf Rasool Sayan pointed out the weaknesses and flaws emerging out during pilot project of mother and child health study in above mentioned districts.

He said encouraging results could be obtained by providing continuous awareness to the women regarding precautionary measures, cleanliness, hygiene, use of proper food, skilled birth attendant, lady health visitors and lady doctors during pregnancy.

He said pregnant women were informed through Robo Calls and SMS under a system in both districts during a Pilot Project which helped in data collection and women were motivated for delivery at government hospitals and health centers.

He said the use of affordable technology would prove to be very encouraging for creating awareness among women for the protection of lives of pregnant women and newborns. Secretary Ali Jan Khan said ambulance call centers had started work for referring pregnant women to 24/7 basic centers in Punjab.

Dr Shabana Haider said nutrition programme had also been started for meeting shortage of nutrition among women and children in 11 districts of Punjab and nutrition should also be included in Robo Calls and messaging system.

She said information management system could prove to be very useful for pregnant women. Secretary Health Ali Jan Khan emphasized upon further simplifying the system for its easy implementation. He said by implementing this system, lives of thousands of children and pregnant women could be saved.