Punjab: 1 maternal death a day due to infection in May
Vishav Bharti
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 21
Taking a heavy toll on expectant mothers, the state is on average losing at least one pregnant woman to Covid-19 every day this month.
In 2020-21, 440 maternal deaths were reported in the state due to various reasons. Of these, 21 died due to Covid. The situation started deteriorating during the second wave, with six pregnant women dying of the infection in April. However, the number of deaths among expectant mothers rose sharply in May.
Read also:
- ‘Trust deficit’ hampers drive in villages
- Doctor lost to Covid, no relief in sight for kin six months later
- Abohar sees 56 virus deaths in past 20 days
- Still short of medical Oxygen, people dying: Govt to High Court
- At Kiratpur, long queues for immersion of ashes
Data available with The Tribune for the first 20 days suggests an average death of one pregnant woman per day due to the infection. So far, 17 expectant mothers have lost their life this month.
At present, 126 pregnant women are suffering from Covid in various hospitals across the state. Mohali has the maximum number of such patients at 17, followed by Jalandhar (11), Roopnagar (10), Ferozepur and Sangrur (eight each), Muktsar, Kapurthala and Bathinda (seven each). Dr Areet Kaur, Director National Health Mission, Punjab, says under “Mission Fateh 2”, the state was focusing on rural areas.
“We are laying emphasis on maternal health. They are being screened and tested for Covid on the spot and required interventions are being done,” she said.
