The Research and Intervention for Sexual Health: Theory to Action (RISHTA) project focused attention on the symptom of vaginal discharge and established a Women’s Health Clinic in June 2009 in the Urban Health Clinic serving a low income community inhabited largely by Muslims. Every woman recruited into the project — 1125 of them — was asked to provide a medical history, to undergo an internal examination, and test for sexually transmitted infections (STI) before being given treatment.

Source: The Hindu
Read more

The latest survey by sickle Cell Disease Project in Attappady found that over 20 per cent of the 33,120-strong tribal population is affected by the dreaded genetic disorder of sickle cell anaemia. The latest survey conducted in June 2013 by the Agali Community Health Centre and the five Public Health Centres found 1,253 tribals affected by sickle cell anaemia (AS). Out of this 96 are acute cases (SS). 

Source: The Hindu
Read more

Raami Murugan is slowly picking up the pieces of her life after motherhood lost. Her baby girl was born premature en route to the Agali Community Health Centre on January 14. The baby, which weighed hardly above one kg, was declared dead on arrival.
She is among 34 tribal infants who died in /the past six months due to malnutrition at Attappady in Palakkad district However, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and his Ministers blamed young mothers of Attappady for not “eating properly” and branded them alcoholics, saying their habits led to the death of their children.


Source: The Hindu
Read more

Many Reports suggest that the rate of breastfeeding is low in the state due to lack of information, traditional belief in pre-lacteal feeding and substituting breast milk with other local and commercial baby food products. About 50.6 per cent mothers in the state breastfeed their babies.

Source: Times of India
Read more

Independent Maternal Mortality Audit Cell (Swatantra Matra-Mratyu Samikshak Dal) has been set up in Allahabad, Kaushambi, Fatehpur and Pratapgarh districts to undertake maternal mortality audit in the region. Headed by a senior health official, the cell will also have a woman health worker. 

Source: Times of India
Read more

To ensure safe birth and good maternal health at Community Health Centres (CHCs) and First Referral Units (FRUs), the health department is starting a unique 'On Call' service under which specialised doctors of the region would attend the delivery cases at the FRU or CHC concerned.
For this service the special secretary, Medical Health and Family Welfare, Uttar Pradesh, Dr Kajal has formed a 'Safe Birth Response Team' (SBRT) in Varanasi on Thursday which comprises gynaecologists, anaesthesiologists and paediatricians

Source: Times of India
Read more