Issued by: Dr. P. Jagadeeswara Rao, District Medical and Health Officer, Visakhapatnam | Date: 04.05.2026

 

Today, i.e., on 04.05.2026, a review meeting of the Sub-District Maternity Death Surveillance and Response Committee regarding maternal deaths was held at the Office of the District Medical and Health Officer, under the chairmanship of Dr. P. Jagadeeswara Rao, District Medical and Health Officer. Speaking at this meeting, Dr. P. Jagadeeswara Rao conducted a review concerning a maternal death that occurred in March within the jurisdiction of the Gajuwaka Primary Health Centre. The District Medical and Health Officer stated that the responsibility for ensuring that maternal deaths do not occur in the future rests with the Medical Officer of the respective health centre, and emphasized that the concerned ANM must identify and provide necessary services to pregnant women in a timely manner. He warned that disciplinary action would be taken if maternal deaths were to occur henceforth, and instructed that when high-risk pregnant women present for delivery, they must be referred immediately—without any delay—to either KGH or VGH to ensure a safe delivery. He further advised that ANMs and ASHA workers should create awareness among adolescent girls regarding the physiological changes occurring during puberty, and provide comprehensive awareness to pregnant women right from the onset of pregnancy. 

He reiterated the need to identify high-risk pregnant women in advance and ensure that they receive timely health services, including vaccinations, nutritional supplements, and other necessary care.  It was recommended that proper birth planning be undertaken for high-risk pregnant women, and that these women be sensitized regarding their health status

Participants in this meeting included Dr. Lucy (District Immunization Officer), Dr. Usha Prasad (Superintendent, VGH), Dr. B. Umavati (DPMO-NHM), Dr. P. Sudhamadhuri (Gynecologist, KGH), Dr. A. Maheswara Rao (Anesthesiologist, KGH), Dr. D. Sunitha (General Medicine, KGH), Mr. B. Nageswara Rao (DEMO), Dr. N.V. Samatha (WHO), Ms. M. Satyavati (DPHNO), Medical Officers from Primary Health Centers, staff from the Turangi Primary Health Center (Kakinada District), field-level staff, and doctors and staff from private hospitals. Additionally, the Medical Officer of the Turangi Primary Health Center (Kakinada District) attended the meeting via Zoom.

           District Medical and Health Officer
                         Visakhapatnam

                  K.V.SHARMA EDITOR