179 Child Deaths In 3 Months In Maharashtra's Nandurbar, Says Chief Medical Officer. Here's Why

According to the data, 179 children lost their lives in the past three months in Maharashtra's Nandurbar district.

The Nandurbar Civil Hospital in Maharashtra has witnessed a rise in the number of child deaths, as 179 children lost their lives in the past three months. In the data revealed by Nandurbar's Chief Medical Officer, M Sawan Kumar, the hospital recorded 75 child deaths in July, 86 in August, and 18 in September in the Nandurbar district.

Kumar said that there are various factors responsible for the tragic deaths of these children. Low birth weight, birth asphyxia, sepsis, and respiratory diseases have emerged as the primary reasons, Kumar told ANI. He further stated that many women in the region suffer from sickle cell disease, which can lead to complications during childbirth, further worsening the situation. 

"Looking at the data 75 deaths in July, 86 deaths in August and 18 deaths in September till now happened in Nandurbar district.  Major reasons for the deaths are low birth weight, birth asphyxia, Sepsis and respiratory diseases. 70% of deaths are of 0-28 days age babies...Many women have sickle cell here which results in complications during delivery. To resolve all these issues we have launched mission 'Lakshya 84 days'," Kumar said, as quoted by ANI.

The Chief Medical Officer said the number of deaths has risen because villages don’t have 12 months of connectivity, and there is a problem with the roads due to which ambulances are unable to enter these areas. He also stated that the information about the patient is often received late because of the issue of network connectivity.

”At least 60 per cent of deaths are recording in Nandurbar’s two talukas. The reason of death are the villages don’t have 12 months connectivity, there is problem with the roads, and ambulance is unable to go in these areas. Due to network connectivity issue, information about the patient is received late and then arrival of the patient to the hospital is delayed due to this. Many women have sickle cell here which results in complications during delivery,” as reported by the news agency ANI.

Mission Lakshya 84 Days

Kumar said that to reduce the number of infant deaths the state has started Mission Lakshya 84 days. Giving details the Chief Medical Officer said, ” To reduce the number of deaths, we have started Mission Lakshya 84 days. In this mission, we will monitor ANC for 42 days and PNC for 42 days by visiting them daily, and with this effort, we will try to reduce the number of deaths and the results will be reflected within three months.”