The intervention comes weeks after state Health Minister K Muraleedharan announced a series of measures to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services in Attappadi, following reports of infant deaths in the region. Representative image: Wikimedia Commons
Kerala rights panel orders probe into neonatal deaths in Attappadi tribal region
Separate expert teams to investigate infant deaths and assess healthcare facilities in tribal areas; reports sought within five weeks
Palakkad (Keralam), Nov 12 (PTI) The Kerala rights panel has ordered the Health Department and the Directorate of Medical Education to set up separate expert teams to probe recent neonatal deaths in the Attappadi tribal region.
In an order, Commission Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas asked the Director of Health Services (DHS) and the Director of Medical Education (DME) to form the teams and submit comprehensive investigation reports within five weeks.
The Keralam State Human Rights Commission directed that all documents submitted by the expert teams to the respective heads of departments be furnished along with the reports for its examination, according to an official statement.
The reports should detail the measures to be taken by government hospitals in Attappadi and Agali to prevent further neonatal deaths, the order said.
The Director of Health Services has also been asked to assess the functioning of government hospitals in the Attappadi region and report on steps to ensure quality maternal and child healthcare in the tribal areas.
The commission directed the Deputy Director of Health Services and the Deputy District Medical Officer to appear before it at a sitting scheduled for January 5.
The commission took up the matter on its own based on media reports.
The intervention comes weeks after state Health Minister K Muraleedharan announced a series of measures to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services in Attappadi, following reports of infant deaths in the region.
During a recent visit, the minister assessed the situation through interactions with health workers and local representatives and reviewed the functioning of the Kottathara Tribal Speciality Hospital.
He held review meetings with officials and health experts in Attappadi and Agali to identify gaps in the existing healthcare system and plan urgent interventions. PTI