Over 6,000 pregnant women shifted to hospitals ahead of cyclones in A.P.

The Health and Medical Department has made extensive arrangements to safeguard pregnant women, mothers and newborn babies in view of successive cyclones affecting Andhra Pradesh.

A statement issued by the department on Friday said pregnant women nearing their expected delivery dates had been identified and shifted to hospitals in advance to avoid transportation difficulties during the cyclones. Of the 6,166 pregnant women shifted to hospitals in areas affected by Cyclones Murasu and Arnab, 2,924 (47.42%) have delivered so far. Field-level medical staff identified the women based on departmental records and shifted them to nearby hospitals to ensure timely medical care.

A total of 3,066 pregnant women were shifted to hospitals in the 13 districts affected by Cyclone Murasu. Of them, 1,705 (55.61%) have delivered. Chittoor, Nellore and East Godavari districts recorded the highest number of deliveries.

In the 20 districts affected by Cyclone Arnab, 3,100 pregnant women were shifted to hospitals, of whom 1,219 (39.32%) have delivered. Officials identified women whose expected delivery dates fell between October 25 and November 8 and ensured that they received the necessary medical care.

Visakhapatnam recorded the highest number of deliveries at 124, followed by Kakinada (110), Manyam (108) and NTR district (106).

Special attention was given to high-risk pregnancies, women suffering from severe anaemia and those carrying twins. They were shifted under medical supervision to nearby Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, area hospitals, district hospitals and government general hospitals.

The department deployed 108 ambulances, Thalli Bidda Express vehicles and other transport arranged by medical officers. Private vehicles were also pressed into service wherever necessary. Arrangements were also made to shift 550 pregnant women scheduled to deliver at private hospitals to the respective facilities.

A normal delivery was conducted at the Marripudi Primary Health Centre in Prakasam district at 5.58 p.m. on November 4. A baby girl weighing 2.5 kg was born, and both the mother and child were reported to be healthy.

Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu said medical officers, ANMs and ASHA workers coordinated the identification and advance shifting of pregnant women and ensured the provision of medical services in cyclone-affected areas.