Tamil Nadu   

Extend more benefits under `Vande Mataram' scheme: State Govt.

By Shastry V Mallady

MADURAI, MARCH 2. The Tamil Nadu Government has asked the Union Health Ministry to expand the provisions in the `Vande Mataram' health scheme launched by the Centre for ante-natal mothers. It has now asked for extending the scheme up to delivery and covering the surgery cost also.

Though the scheme, inviting private and government doctors across the country, was announced by the Centre for implementation from February 9, it is yet to be formally launched in the State.

It is learnt that the Tamil Nadu Government said in a letter that `ante-natal care alone would not suffice. The scheme must have a provision to ensure maternal care during the time of delivery, that too, for complicated deliveries, and check maternal mortality' in rural areas.

The State Health department is still pursuing the matter with the Centre offering its suggestions to get more benefits included in the scheme.

It is learnt that the Health Secretary, Shiela Rani Chunkath, wrote to the Centre that the State Government was already doing a lot in ante-natal care and hence the scheme should include free Caesarean section also.

The scheme envisages that private doctors involve themselves in public health, keeping aside one day — ninth day of every month — to offer free consultation. Medicines would be supplied by from government hospitals and primary health centres.

Following the Health Secretary's letter to the Centre, enrolment of private doctors is yet to pick up though the process has begun.

The Joint Director of Health Services, Madurai district, S. Indirani, today told The Hindu that the Health Secretary felt that mere tablets and injections were not enough in this scheme `and for it to be successful, care during the time of delivery is also essential.'

With the district administration yet to receive orders from the Government, the chances of launching of the scheme on March 9 were remote, she said.

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