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Utilizing Paediatric Surgeons in Government Hospitals to Reduce Infant Mortality Rates

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Appoint Paediatric Surgeons in Government Hospitals to Prevent Infant Mortality, ET HealthWorld

The Indian Association of Paediatric Surgeons (IAPS) has raised an urgent demand for the appointment of paediatric surgeons in government hospitals nationwide to address infant mortality rates. Dr RJ Totla, a senior member of IAPS, highlighted that out of nearly 800 hospitals in India, 500 state-run hospitals lack paediatric surgeons, leaving newborns from underprivileged families vulnerable to complex health issues and deaths.

Birth defects affecting various body parts are seen in around 3% of newborns, emphasizing the critical need for paediatric surgeons in government hospitals. Despite the presence of paediatric medicine departments in several Government Medical College and Hospitals (GMCH), the absence of paediatric surgery units contributes significantly to the high infant mortality rate in the country.

The IAPS has submitted a memorandum to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, emphasizing the inclusion of paediatric surgeries in government health insurance schemes. This move would enable parents from lower-income backgrounds to access necessary surgical interventions for their infants, even at private hospitals. Union Minister of State for Finance, Dr Bhagwat Karad, who is a paediatric surgeon himself, emphasized the importance of official support for paediatric surgery to alleviate the suffering of children and their families.

In conclusion, the appointment of paediatric surgeons in government hospitals and the modification of government health insurance schemes to accommodate paediatric surgeries are crucial steps towards reducing infant mortality rates and ensuring better healthcare access for all newborns in the country.

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