70% of Infant Deaths in India Occur in First 04 Weeks of Birth: Dr O N Bhakoo

By Samachar Vishesh News

Panchkula 15^th June:- To Create awareness on “Status of Neonatal Health Services in India & Haryana’ a team of Doctors from Paras Bliss Hospital, Panchkula addressed the media persons today. Present on the occasion were Dr O N Bhakoo Director Paediatrics & Neonatology, Dr K L N Rao-Director Paediatric Surgery and Dr Saurabh Goel–Senior Consultant Neonatology from Paras Bliss Hospital Panchkula. 

Speaking on the occasion Dr O N Bhakoo said that of the 6.6 million under-five child deaths that occur globally every year, about 44 percent occur in the neonatal period (the first 28 days of life); this proportion is even higher in India– around 54 percent.”India contributes to one-fifth of global live births and more than a quarter of neonatal deaths. About 0.76 million neonates died every year in India. Also 70 % of infant deaths in India occur in first 04 weeks of Birth.

Addressing the media persons Dr Sorabh Goel said India has made considerable progress over the last two decades in the area of maternal and child health, through innovative and comprehensive health packages that covers the spectrum of Reproductive Child Health (RCH). New-borns however have missed out on the attention. The three major causes of neonatal deaths are complications of pre term birth, neonatal infections, and delivery related complications like birth asphyxia; together, they contribute to nearly 90% of total neonatal deaths. Neonatal mortality rate in Haryana are at around 28 deaths per 1000 birth, which is at par with backward stats like Jharkhand & Bihar and much higher than the lowest in the country.

Speaking on the occasion Dr K L N Rao said Oesophageal atresia, Anorectal Malformations, Intestinal Obstructions are common emergency surgical conditions and Inguinal Hernia, Pyloric stenosis and abdominal mass are semi emergency conditions in Newborns. All types of Neonatal and Paediatric surgeries are routinely done at Paras Bliss. In order to increase awareness and knowledge about latest in Neonatal Health, Paras Bliss Hospital is offering Regular Continues Medical Education Program for Doctors; interaction with Doctors in peripheral towns through Telemedicine; short term &long-term ICU training Programs for Nurses & Paramedical staff and State of art Ambulance services with Ventilators in adjoining districts of Panchkula. Neonates from far adjoining cities palaces like Yamunanagar, Karnal, Patiala, Rajpura, Kurukshetra, Shimla, Solan, Nalagarh are being shifted on regular basis to Paras Bliss in Ventilated ambulance.