MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee has halted programs in Memphis and Chattanooga aimed at reducing infant mortality rates amid an internal audit.
The Memphis program, called The Blues Project, was started seven years ago by the UT Health Science Center to address the city’s high death rate among infants. There are about 100 women and teenagers currently enrolled in the program, which has aided about 1,000 people to date, according to The Commercial Appeal.
It was expanded to Chattanooga, which also has a high infant mortality rate, last year with a $1.7 million grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation.
Kimberly Lamar directs the Memphis program and says she didn’t know about its suspension until a health clinic called her Monday. Pregnant teens and women continued showing up at local health clinics Monday, but were turned away.
“If they cared about these women, they wouldn’t have just terminated services immediately,” Lamar said. “What about these moms? What about these babies?