Hyderabad: Ranga Reddy maternal health initiatives emphasised safe pregnancy practices and access to medical care, with District Collector C. Narayana Reddy urging pregnant women to seek timely treatment and follow proper precautions.
He spoke at the Safe Motherhood Day programme held at the Primary Health Centre in Eliminedu, Ibrahimpatnam mandal, as part of the Praja Palana Pragathi Pranalika 99-day action plan. The event formed part of Health Awareness Week observed from March 6 to 11 under the supervision of the Health, Women and Child Welfare departments.
The collector inaugurated the programme and said changing lifestyles had reduced physical activity while increasing stress levels. As a result, health risks were appearing at younger ages. He stated that health must take priority over wealth and stressed the need for preventive care.
Ranga Reddy maternal health campaign highlights safe motherhood
He advised pregnant women to follow proper nutrition and access medical services with the support of ASHA workers. Narayana Reddy noted that institutional deliveries in government hospitals in the district stood at 57%. He then directed health officials to encourage more normal deliveries and work towards reducing infant mortality rates.
Further, he said government hospitals were providing comprehensive care from pregnancy confirmation to childbirth, including all necessary diagnostic tests and treatment. He also instructed ASHA workers and ANMs to spread awareness in rural areas about the growing drug abuse issue.
Later, the collector visited the HPV vaccination centre at the Eliminedu Primary Health Centre and distributed certificates to beneficiaries. Reddy said the vaccine helps prevent cervical cancer and reduces the risk of other cancers caused by the human papillomavirus.
Narayana Reddy added that the vaccine was particularly beneficial for girls aged 9 to 14 years. Narayana confirmed that it was safe, approved by the World Health Organization, and available free of cost through the district health department. He urged parents and students to utilise the facility.
District Medical and Health Officer Dr Lalitha Devi said maternal and postnatal services were being delivered comprehensively across the district. She added that maternal mortality had declined significantly. She also said HPV vaccination centres had been established at 22 locations in Ranga Reddy district.
Local representatives and officials, including public health staff and medical officers, attended the programme.