MCD launches drive to curb infant deaths in slum areas

To curb infant deaths due to poor post-natal care in slums, the MCD has launched a-year-long awareness drive from Wednesday. HT reports.

To curb infant deaths due to poor post-natal care in slums, the MCD has launched a-year-long awareness drive from Wednesday. The first workshop was held in east Delhi.

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“Creating awareness among families of the poor, especially women, is our primary instrument. The last Delhi-specific data of 2008 showed 35 deaths per 1,000 live births,” said Dr VK Monga, chairperson, public health committee, MCD.

A two-member team of MCD doctors will be training community health workers in hygiene and other technical aspects in newborn care. “A batch will have 25 health workers, and we intend to conduct about 30 workshops in 12 of the zones. It will be a hands-on workshop,” said Dr Monga.