Mandya launches maternal, child healthcare initiative

Mandya: Mandya district minister N Cheluvarayaswamy on Wednesday stated that the state govt has undertaken several progressive initiatives to strengthen public healthcare services and safeguard the well-being of citizens.He was speaking after inaugurating the newly established Midwifery-Led Care Unit and Maternal Milk Bank, Shishu Sanjeevini, at the Mandya District Hospital. The event was jointly organised by the district administration, the zilla panchayat, the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), and the department of health and family welfare.Addressing the gathering, the minister said the govt has consistently focused on delivering quality healthcare services during the last three years, with special emphasis on maternal and child health.Describing ‘Shishu Sanjeevini' as a landmark healthcare initiative, he explained that the project has been introduced to support premature babies and infants suffering from nutritional deficiencies. He stressed that awareness among mothers regarding the importance of breastfeeding and the benefits of milk banking is essential to ensure healthy growth and development of newborns.He appreciated the efforts of the district administration and healthcare authorities in establishing the milk bank and urged the public to make effective use of the specialised facilities available at the district hospital. The minister observed that such initiatives would significantly help in reducing infant mortality and improving neonatal healthcare services across the district.Zilla panchayat CEO KR Nandini, the brainchild behind the project, said that maternal and child health play a crucial role in the overall economic and social development of society. She noted that every case of maternal or infant mortality in the district is thoroughly reviewed by expert committees to identify preventive measures and improve healthcare delivery. She also highlighted that mother's milk remains the most valuable source of nutrition for a child's physical and mental development.Mandya MLA Ravikumar, DC Kumara, MIMS director Narasimhaswamy and Muda chairman Prakash were present.