Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)

Mangaluru, Nov 7: Government Lady Goschen Hospital's recognition at the state level for its efforts to bring maternal and infant mortality rates down to zero is a matter of pride for Dakshina Kannada district, said district in-charge minister U T Khader.

He was speaking at a programme organised by the Yuvavahini Central Committee, Mangaluru, and its Venur unit to hand over a Non-Stress Test (NST) machine to Government Lady Goschen Hospital on Saturday.

Khader said the NST machine would play a vital role in monitoring the health and well-being of pregnant women and their unborn babies. It would further strengthen maternal and child healthcare services by enabling timely assessments during pregnancy and facilitating appropriate medical intervention.

Appreciating Yuvavahini for donating the equipment, he said the gesture reflected the organisation's commendable commitment to social service. He added that such initiatives should inspire other youth organisations and individuals to take up similar community-oriented activities.

The minister also announced plans to establish a Mother and Child Care Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the hospital in the coming days. He said Rs 5 crore had been sanctioned for setting up an IVF centre at Lady Goschen Hospital, which would be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

The proposed IVF centre is aimed at making quality fertility treatment accessible at affordable rates through the government healthcare system. Khader pointed out that many couples required IVF treatment but were unable to afford the high costs charged by private hospitals.

The initiative is intended to ensure that advanced fertility treatment is within the reach of economically weaker families and the general public, rather than being accessible only to financially well-off sections of society.

Lady Goschen Hospital superintendent Dr Durgaprasad delivered the introductory remarks, while Yuvavahini Central Committee president Ashok Kumar Padpu presided over the programme.

Kudroli Gokarnanath Temple treasurer Padmaraj R Poojary, Beltangady Taluk Five Guarantees Implementation Committee president Rakshith Shivaram, KMC dean Dr Unnikrishnan, Yuvavahini Venur unit president Prakash Kotian and District Health Officer Dr Thimmaiah were among those present.