Health Minister Dechen Wangmo
The health minister said the routine check-ups during pregnancy are important to reduce the mortality rate of infants with 50 per cent of the infants in neonatology born prematurely. Lyonpo was responding to a question at the National Council yesterday. It was reported that most infants who died were born as premature.
The member of the parliament (MP) from Punakha Lhaki Dolma referring to the unfortunate incident of 11 infants who lost their lives in 2018 and another 8 infants just a month ago at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in National Referral Hospital inquired the health minister on the follow-up actions and measures put in place to prevent such mishaps in the future.
To this, the Health Minister Dechen Wangmo said that as per the by the Royal Centre for Disease Control’s (RCDC) assessment report the cause of the death was due to complications resulting from prematurity and lack of proper routine check-up before birth by the mother resulting in complications later.
“If we look at why such mishaps are happening in the NICU, it is short term. It is important to look at it systematically. First of all, we should look at the condition of the baby while pregnant, and see if the mother has availed health services as required. Pregnant women should visit eight times for Antenatal care during pregnancy. But only about 15 per cent visit eight times.”
She also said it is necessary to work on infectious disease control in the hospital. The ministry has submitted a requisition to RCSC for a need of an infection control department in the hospital.
“In other countries, infectious disease control is instituted as departments. But in JDWNRH, there is only one person looking after it. To prevent infectious disease, it is important to give training to everyone in the hospital starting from a sweeper. He or she should know that cleaning a hospital is not as same as cleaning a house.”
She also informed that the water treatment plant is necessary for every hospital. Installing bio-cabinet safety, and opening of new NICU with necessary facilities are some other measures taken to prevent such mishaps. She also said there is no neonatologist for now and therefore is stressing to give the course, priority.
