Wed Jul 16 15:09:37 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
A review meeting was held in Alluri Sitharama Raju district regarding maternal and infant mortality rates since March 2025. District Collector AS Dinesh Kumar expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of ASHA workers and ANMs in tracking high-risk pregnancies and with the improper maintenance of medical records. He instructed health officials to identify causes of death, implement preventive measures, and ensure proper procedures are followed for transporting high-risk pregnant women to hospitals. Emphasis was placed on monitoring medication adherence and submitting regular reports on high-risk cases.
**News Article:**
**Maternal, Infant Mortality Rates Spark Concern in Alluri Sitharama Raju District**
**Alluri Sitharama Raju, July 16, 2025:** Rising maternal and infant mortality rates in Alluri Sitharama Raju district have prompted serious concerns and a call for immediate action from District Collector AS Dinesh Kumar. During a review meeting held on Wednesday with the Medical and Health Department, Kumar expressed strong dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, particularly regarding the tracking of high-risk pregnancies and the maintenance of medical records.
The Collector criticized the performance of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), citing failures in identifying and monitoring high-risk pregnancy cases. He also found discrepancies and incomplete entries in medical records, warning that any tampering would be treated as a criminal offense.
Health Department officials presented detailed accounts of each maternal and infant death recorded since March 2025, attributing a significant portion to high blood pressure. Kumar instructed officials to identify root causes and implement effective preventative strategies.
To improve access to care for high-risk pregnant women, Kumar emphasized the importance of utilizing available resources, including the 108 ambulance service and Primary Health Center (PHC) vehicles. He also directed healthcare workers to escalate issues with service access to the ITDA Project Officer and District Medical and Health Officer if problems persist.
Furthermore, the Collector urged ASHA workers to ensure pregnant women are adhering to their prescribed medications. He emphasized that medical officers must take full responsibility for their assigned duties. A crucial element of the new strategy involves a heightened focus on high-risk cases, requiring comprehensive advance planning and the submission of detailed reports every fifteen days, escalating from the grassroots level to higher authorities.
First Piper 