Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) has revealed plans to begin screening of new born babies for any heart defects.
Any defect in the heart may stay at the dormant phase for the first two to three days and such screening is crucial, Cardiologist at IGMH Dr. Aishath Elena said addressing the closing ceremony of Facility Based Newborn Care and Quality Improvement Workshop. In this regard, Dr. Aishath Elena said heart rate of babies before and after birth has a vast difference and many a times such defects goes unnoticed by the doctors. Noting that the screening procedure is a well-accepted procedure around the world, Dr. Aishath Elena assured that IGMH would carry out the procedure within the global standards.
Parents should give importance to the health of babies especially at the infant stage, World Health Organisation (WHO) representative to Maldives Dr. Arvind Mathur noted addressing the ceremony. In this regard, Dr. Arvind Mathur noted the progress Maldives has attained in the healthcare sector.
The Facility Based Newborn Care and Quality Improvement Workshop for healthcare providers saw the participation of 65 representatives from 5 hospitals.