Arrest maternal, infant mortality

May 17, 2006 Published in CENTRAL CHRONICLE, Bhopal

Bhopal, May 16 : Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged people's representatives and NGOs working in health sector to actively participate in the implementation of initiatives devoted to arresting maternal and infant mortality rates in the state.

He said the concrete results could be achieved only by promoting institutional delivery. He was inaugurating Vijaya Raje Janani Kalyan Bima Yojana at the Jai Prakash Hospital premises here today.
The expectant mothers belonging to poor families would be given Rs 1000 for institutional delivery under the scheme. This amount is in addition to the cash amount provided to mothers under Janani Suraksha Yojana or as transportation and treatment expenses for safe delivery.

If a mother dies of delivery-related complications in six weeks of delivery her dependent would be given insurance amount of Rs 50,000. The Chief Minister said that a number of steps have been taken for improving health delivery system such as recruiting doctors, construction of hospital buildings at different levels, creating new posts of paramedical staff, raising the budget for meals to indoor patients. Besides, measures like Dindayal Antyoday Upchar Yojana, round the clock delivery has also been taken.
Expressing concern over death of infants and mothers for want of facilities despite advancements in every sector, the chief minister stressed on making special initiatives for ensuring institutional deliveries of mothers who cant afford expenses in private hospitals. He urged people's representatives to take steps for making poor families aware of the benefits of institutional delivery especially in rural areas. The Chief Minister handed over a cheque for Rs 4.40 crore to the United India Insurance. Minster for Health Ajay Vishnoi said that the Vijaya Raje Janani Kalyan Bima Yojana would have a far-reaching impact. He urged the doctors and paramedical staff to take up extra responsibilities in the interest of poor families and mothers.
Principal Secretary Health Shri Madan Mohan Upadhyay gave details about the scheme and informed that a target has been set for achieving 50 percent institutional delivery this year. At present the percent of institutional delivery is only 33.

Minister for Finance Raghavji, Director Information Communication Bureau Ms Rashmi Arun Shami, United India Insurance General Manger, doctors, paramedical staff were present. Director Health Services Dr Yogiraj Sharma conducted the function.

Link to the story
http://www.bhopal.net/medical/archives/2006/05/arrest_maternal.html