The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is all set to start
newborn-screening programmes in all government hospitals in the state.
This is part of the mission's bid to save newborn babies from neonatal
disorders. The screening tests will be done free of cost.
When an infant is subjected to this test, doctors can identify whether
the baby has neonatal disorders before he/she shows any symptoms of it.
NRHM state director M Beena told TOI that they had received state and
Central approval for this programme.
"NRHM has allotted Rs 60 lakh for this project and the state health
department has sanctioned Rs 44 lakh. The programme will be implemented
in all government hospitals soon," said Beena.
Blood samples will be collected from the baby within 24 hours of
delivery.
The blood will be allowed to dry on a piece of absorbent paper
and it will be sent to the newborn-screening laboratory for testing,
said Dr Prabha Chandran Nair, additional director of health service
(planning).
The newborn-screening facility will be available in Public Health and
Clinical Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram and regional laboratories in
Ernakulam and Kozhikode.
source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Newborns-to-be-screened-for-neonatal-disorders/articleshow/14789411.cms
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