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Rangasamy concerned over rise in infant mortality

Special Correspondent

Urges anganwadi staff to focus on nutritional status of women

— Photo: T.Singaravelou

BOOK RELEASE: Chief Minister N. Rangasamy releasing a book at the celebration of International Women's Day in Puducherry on Monday.

Puducherry: Chief Minister N. Rangasamy has expressed his anguish over the `marginal rise' in infant mortality rate in the Union Territory and attributed it to the poor nutritional status of women. Addressing an International Women's Day celebration here on Monday, he said Puducherry, till a few years ago had the distinct record of having a very low infant mortality rate. But now this situation is causing concern, although the administration was spending a lot on health, particularly that of women.

Per capita expenditure

The per capita expenditure incurred by the Department of Health here was around Rs. 1070. A total of 688 anganwadi centres were functioning in the Union Territory and they were totally administered by women.

Nowhere in the country were the staff and workers of the anganwadi centres conferred the status of government employees as had been done in Puducherry.

He said that the administration was implementing a number of welfare schemes for women.

The anganwadi centres started throughout the Union Territory were meant to take care of nutritional status of pregnant women, lactating mothers and young children.

The Chief Minister appealed to the anganwadi staff and also field workers in the Health Department to come out with a plan to enhance the nutritional status of women, particularly pregnant women, so that the rise in infant mortality could be arrested early. "We will welcome all suggestions and feedback from the anganwadi centres and health staff on this," he said.

Mr. Rangasamy also released a book. `The First Ladies and Lady Governors of India' written by Clement Eswar.

Director of Women and Child Development Department Devi Mathews, and Chairperson of Puducherry Municipal council B.Sridevi, and other officials participated.

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