Karnataka forms stillbirth surveillance panel amid rising cases
Bengaluru: In response to a concerning rise in stillbirth rates across the state, the Karnataka Department of Health and Family Welfare has established a Stillbirth Surveillance and Response (SBSR) committee to monitor and address the issue.
According to department data from August, as cited by Deccan Herald on Saturday, the stillbirth rate in Karnataka stood at 3.41% per 1,000 births, a figure that has surged dramatically in some districts, reaching as high as 9.8%.
This alarming spike has raised serious concerns among health authorities, particularly in districts like Haveri, Dharwad, Chamarajanagar, and Mysuru, which have reported the highest numbers. Even districts with historically low or zero stillbirth rates have seen sharp increases.
The newly-formed SBSR committee will track the number of stillbirths and causes, adhering to the International Classification of Diseases for Perinatal Mortality guidelines (ICD-PM). The panel will examine preventable deaths and use data to inspect districts with the highest cases.
It will also identify treatment gaps and recommend solutions to the health department, the report added.
Under the new system, hospital nodal officers are required to report stillbirths within 24 hours to district and state health officials.
Failing to register deaths will result in serious charges against hospital officials, while government officials will face internal investigations for failing to register cases.
Private hospitals that do not register stillbirths will face action under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Act, 2007.
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Bengaluru: Commercial building fire brought under control, two rescued
Bengaluru (PTI): A fire broke out in a multi-storey commercial building here on Friday evening, following which two people who were trapped on the terrace were safely rescued, officials said.
The incident occurred at around 5.30 pm at a commercial building located on Coles Road, they said.
However, no casualties were reported, officials added.
According to officials, the blaze started on the terrace, where a pantry and storeroom are located. The situation led to panic as the building is located adjacent to a petrol bunk, raising fears of a possible explosion.
Two people trapped on the terrace due to the fire were rescued by a police team along with Fire and Emergency Services personnel, a senior police officer said.
Four fire tenders were pressed into service, and after nearly an hour of intense firefighting, the blaze was brought under control.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, police said, adding that further investigation is underway.
