Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has launched the ‘Shishu Sanjeevini’ initiative aimed at improving child healthcare and reducing infant and neonatal deaths in the state.
District in-charge Minister and Agriculture Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy inaugurated the newly established Midwifery-Based Care Unit and Breast Milk Collection Centre under the scheme at the district hospital, in collaboration with MIMS and the Health and Family Welfare Department.
He said the government has been strengthening public health services over the past three years and stressed that maternal and child health remains a top priority. He added that the Shishu Sanjeevini initiative is a key step in ensuring better care for newborns, especially premature babies and those with nutritional deficiencies.
Officials said the scheme includes facilities for safe breast milk collection and storage, which will support infants who are unable to be breastfed directly. The initiative also aims to raise awareness among mothers about the importance of breastfeeding for infant health and recovery.
Zilla Panchayat CEO K. R. Nandini said protecting maternal and child health is crucial for overall social and economic development. She also noted that detailed reviews will be conducted in cases of maternal and child deaths to improve healthcare outcomes.
The government said the programme is designed to strengthen neonatal care infrastructure and reduce preventable child mortality across the district.
