Cyclone Threat: Health Department Identifies 26,000 Pregnant Women for Hospital Admission

The Health and Family Welfare Department has identified more than 26,000 pregnant women living in flood-prone areas and those with health complications for admission to hospitals as the State prepares for the ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’.

Officials have been directed to shift pregnant women whose expected delivery dates fall between October 23 and November 6 to safer locations.

Arrangements are also being made to move pregnant women from areas with no transport facilities.

Emergency healthcare preparations

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav directed officials to ensure uninterrupted emergency healthcare services in areas likely to be affected by the approaching cyclonic storm.

He reviewed the Health and Family Welfare Department’s preparedness on Sunday (October 25), ahead of the red alerts issued for several districts on October 27 and 28.

According to a department release, Mr. Yadav stressed the need to maintain an uninterrupted supply of medicines at government healthcare facilities in low-lying areas.

The preparations cover medical supplies, maternity care, newborn care and emergency support at facilities that may be affected by the storm.

Health and Family Welfare Commissioner K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu has directed all District Medical and Health Officers to ensure adequate stocks of essential medicines, oral rehydration solution (ORS), intravenous saline, maternity medicines and newborn care supplies.

The list of required supplies also includes oxygen, generators, fuel and drinking water.

Identifying vulnerable families

Frontline health workers have been asked to identify families with pregnant women, postpartum mothers, newborns and young children.

They have also been asked to identify elderly people, persons with disabilities and those requiring regular medication.

The directions are intended to ensure that these groups can be identified while officials prepare for possible disruption in affected areas.

Officials have also been directed to maintain proper sanitation and access to safe drinking water in affected villages.

They have been told to remain vigilant against any unusual rise in infectious diseases during the preparedness and response measures.

Source: The Hindu