ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The National Assembly Thursday was informed that as many as 7,214 deaths were reported in various Maternal and Child Health and Children hospitals of the federal capital during last four years (2011-2015).
Responding to various queries during question hour, State Minister for Capital Administration and Development, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that 6,365 such deaths were reported in Children hospitals whereas 849 deaths were reported in Maternal and Child health Care Centers.
As per break up, the minister said that the death reported in Children hospitals included 1993 in 2011-12, 1388 in 2012-13, 1498 in 2013-14 and 1586 in 2014-15.
On the other hand the deaths reported in Maternal and Child health Care Centers included 218 in 2011-12, 229 in 2012-13, 212 in 2013-14 and 190 in 2014-15.
The Minister, however clarified that it was not true that a number of mothers’ deaths during delivery was due to negligence of doctors in the federal government hospitals.
The minister said there has been shortage of staff in the hospitals of federal capital and the government was conducting survey to evaluate the number of vacant posts so that these could be filled to provide relief to the people. He said the induction is expected to be made before May next year.
The minister said that the government has taken certain measures to improve maternal and child health services.
He said that the government has made highest allocation of beds for maternal and child health services to facilitate people adding sufficient medicine and staff is deputed for proper care.
Each delivery is conducted by an expert while round-the-clock labour room services with all quality and standard medicines are arranged free of cost.
The minister said that efficient and regular antenatal clinics which provides health education, early detection of high risk pregnancies and early pals of interventions through regular ante-natal visits are arranged.
The minister said that the government has also arranged for distribution of iron tablets to prevent anemia, vaccination of mothers against Tatanus and EPI programme for children and distribution of Misoprostol for prevention of PHH among pregnant women at the time of childbirth in the country.
Source: APP
