With an aim to raise institutional deliveries in the rural areas in the district and considering threats to the lives of mothers post deliveries, officials of the district administration on Thursday held a meeting with Imams at Rabindra Bhaban in Raiganj of North Dinajpur district.
More than 300 Imams from different blocks of the district attended the meeting where District Magistrate, Aiyesha Rani and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr Prakash Mridha sought their help to make the minority community aware about the efficiency of the hospital instead of attempting deliveries at homes.
The Imams were also briefed to raise awareness to take preventive measures against diseases like Malaria, Kalajar and dengue, it is learnt.
According to sources institutional deliveries in North Dinajpur in the year 2016 counted only 60 percent. Karandighi, Goalpokhar, Chakulia, Islampur and Chopra blocks under the Islampur subdivision inhabits the minority population which lags far behind in terms of institutional deliveries.
The Chief Medical Officer of Health, North Dinajpur Dr Prakash Mridha said, “The rate institutional deliveries in Raignaj sub-division has raised to 90 percent. In Islampur sub division the percentage is below 75.
We target to achieve 100 percent institutional deliveries before 2019. We are not leaving any stoned unturned to achieve the result.
District Magistrate Aiyesha Rani said, “Imams are respectable people and we seek their help to convince the people to reach hospitals for institutional deliveries. We previously had a meeting with them. With have received good results.