The State government is planning several new initiatives in Attappady to improve the health of women and children and ensure that the infant mortality rate in tribal settlements does not go up.
Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Tribes K. Radhakrishnan said in the Assembly on Wednesday that arrangements had been made by involving health, ASHA and anganwadi workers for taking special care of 187 pregnant tribal women and 16 pregnant women with sickle cell anaemia who are considered to be at high risk. Their health will be monitored closely to ensure that no more infant deaths occurred. He was replying to a submission by Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan.
Mr. Radhakrishnan said that following the deaths of infants in Attappady, several meetings with all stakeholders had been held there since November last year. Coordinated activities of various departments were needed to improve the lot of the tribes in Attappady. Efforts were on to conduct a micro-level planning study, looking closely at each household in Attappady, to find solutions for the problems in the colonies.
