16-07-2025
Collector calls out health workers for not tracking high-risk pregnancies
District Collector AS Dinesh Kumar expressed displeasure with Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANMs) for failing to track high-risk pregnancy cases in Alluri Sitharama Raju district. Additionally, he found that medical records were not being properly maintained, and sought explanations from medical officials for the discrepancies.
On Wednesday, he conducted a review meeting with officials from the Medical and Health Department, focusing on maternal and infant deaths recorded from March 2025 till date.
During the meeting, the Health Department officials explained each case in detail. The Collector instructed them to identify the causes of death and implement preventive measures to avoid recurrence. Health staff present shared that high blood pressure (HBP) may be a major contributing factor in the many cases.
The Collector personally reviewed medical records and expressed concern over missing or incomplete entries. He additionally warned that tampering with medical records would be treated as a criminal offence.
The Collector directed that if doctors were unavailable at the Family Physician Camps, then supervisors and mid-level health providers must step in and inform the respective medical authorities. 'In cases where the 108 ambulances or PHC vehicles are unavailable to transport high-risk pregnant women to hospitals, the health call center at 6303921374, should be contacted. If assistance is still unavailable, the matter must escalated to the ITDA Project Officer and District Medical and Health Officer immediately,' he said.
Mr Dinesh Kumar also instructed ASHA workers to monitor whether pregnant women were taking the prescribed medications regularly, as reported by doctors. He said: 'Medical officers must take responsibility for their assigned duties.'
He emphasised that special focus must be placed on high-risk cases, with appropriate plans prepared in advance. He further instructed that reports on high-risk cases must be submitted every 15 days, from the grassroot level to the higher authorities.
