Over 38 newborns died in Jaisalmer

Signifying a rise in the rate of female infanticide in the state of Jaisalmer. Recently 38 newborn s were found dead in the past three months. Sources revealed that most of the newborn were baby girls alleged that seven infants died from July 1 to 15 alone, the number could be more since many cases go unreported. Most of the children were born in houses were mid-wives helped in delivery.

Recently, the leg of a newborn was found on a road, which was picked up by a stray dog. During the investigation, the body of the newborn was found near the village and dogs were eating it. The body of the baby was so disfigured that the ex of the child could not be ascertained and this case was not reported on time.

Similarly two days ago in a village ,the body of a newborn girl was found. Further investigation revealed that the baby was died soon after its birth and the body was thrown in the open. Even this case is not reported either to the police or the appropriate administrative authority.

Though the health department is taking their best efforts to bring down the rate of infant deaths, so far it has not reached upto the mark. The department lacks any field force or complete resources. Eighty two posts of auxiliary nurses and midwives (ANMs) are lying vacant in the district due to which around 60 primary health centres are closed. The villagers are forced to rely on midwives or quacks, due to which there is always a risk of lose of life either to the mother or the child. It has been reported that three women have lost their lives during delivery between April and June.

Anand Gopal Purohit, Chief Medical & Health Officer affirmed that from April 1 to June 30, 31 infants lost their life and reasons quoted were numerous. He added that however, the health department is promoting safe institutional delivery and is trying their best to bring down the infant mortality rate.

According to Purohit, ANMs in PHCs and sub centers had been directed to inform the doctors about the birth and death of newborns. They were also instructed to inform 104 services about child births or death of women in delivery.

District Collector, Shuchi Tyagi expressed his concern over the rise in number of infant mortality rate and added that she had requested the State Government to provide more resources and field force to control such incidents.

 News reported by AR for Newsvision online news blog