iGovernment
25 November 2010
Chandigarh, India

Ultra–modern labour rooms and infant care units will be set up in all district hospitals to check maternal and infant mortality rates in the state
To bring down the maternal and infant mortality rates in the state, the Punjab Government is setting up state–of–the art sick newborn care units (SNCU).

The government has earmarked Rs 23 crore for setting up hi–tech maternity blocks in all district hospitals which will focus on institutional deliveries and treatment of infants.

All maternity and infant care wards will be well–furnished and will have ultra–modern labour rooms and infant care units, having a capacity of 30 beds each. Adjoining the maternity wards will be SNCU. The upgrade in all hospitals will be complete by July next year," Health and Family Welfare Principal Secretary Satish Chandra said.

There has been a steady rise in the institutional deliveries in the state and in 2010–11 the government is looking at more than one lakh deliveries.

"Soon, more gynaecologists, paediatricians and nurses will be recruited to treat pregnant women and new–borns," Chandra added.

The work on the new maternity wards and units is complete in Amritsar. While work in Nawanshahr is nearing completion, work in Ropar, Abohar, Bathinda, Mohali, Freozepur, Ludhiana, Mansa and Muktsar is also moving at a brisk pace, Chandra informed.

"The aim is to ensure women and child care of the highest quality in the state. With the new facilities in place, there will be a considerable decline in maternal and infant mortality rates," the Principal Secretary said.