Cuttack: The high rate of stillbirths in the state has become a matter of concern for the Health department.
Directorate of Family Welfare managing director Lingaraj Mishra has recently asked all chief district medical officers (CDMOs) and the superintendents of three medical colleges and hospitals to take all possible steps to reduce the rate of stillbirths in state.
A recent report by the Newborn Care Corner (NBCC) has claimed that the rate of stillbirths in Odisha is 23 per 1,000 births. The rates of stillbirths are more alarming in districts like Kandhamal, Nabrangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nayagarh, Mayurbhanj, Raygada, Bolangir and Boudh, said the NBCC report.
Moreover, high rates of stillbirths have also been reported from three medical colleges and hospitals in state. The rate was 54 per 1,000 births at Sriram Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH), 52 at MKCG Medical College in Berhampur and 34 at VSS Medical College and Hospital in Burla, claimed the NBCC report.
According to the NBCC report, doctors at many government-run hospitals in the state have grossly failed with regard to the application of cardio pulmonary resuscitation system to stillborns.
As per existing guidelines, doctors are advised to try to resuscitate stillborns by supplying them oxygen. However, doctors at SCBMCH and many district headquarters hospitals do not try to resuscitate stillborns, said the report.
“Stillbirth is a major problem in the state. It can be reduced through proper care to pregnant women,” said Baripada medical college paediatrics department chief Prabhakar Mishra.
Gyanendra Behera, an expert at Sishu Bhawan here, too blamed lack of medical care to pregnant women for high rate of stillbirths.
SCBMCH former superintendent Shyama Kanungo said experts are still trying to ascertain the exact causes for high rate of stillbirths. “We can cite infection, malnutrition and some other complications during pregnancy for the birth of dead babies. Proper medical care to pregnant women can check cases of stillbirths,” she added.