GUNTUR: The Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Project under National Rural Health Mission was launched in Guntur district on Thursday by forming nine district-level committees. The project adopts three-pronged strategy to encourage institutional/ safe deliveries.

The second phase of the RCH project aims at appointing a woman health volunteer in every village of the State, Family Welfare Commissioner CBS Venkataramana, said while briefing officials at a workshop here. The Centre had provided a budget of Rs.90 crores for current financial year for the five-year (2005-2010) Rs.527.09-crore project with a 10 per cent performance-based enhancement provision. In the district 2,356 WHVs would be appointed to motivate people to go to primary health centres.

He identified nine medical department officials as district team leaders, each of whom would implement the project in three or four mandals in coordination with members from ICDS and Velugu projects.

Nineteen health emergency transport vehicles `Mata Sishu Rakshak' would be stationed (one for four mandals) under the control of private persons to provide immediate transport to pregnant women and other emergencies.

The vehicle would be financed (Rs.4 lakhs) under the scheme and salary for two drivers, two ANMs, and two clerical staff provided. The patients would be required to pay Rs.5 per km. towards fuel cost, while some sections would be given concessions or exempted.

Third intervention

The third intervention by the State Government would be to operate five hospitals 24 hours a day and seven days a week to undertake critical deliveries. Four obstetricians and gynaecologis and anaesthetists would be posted at these hospitals to be located at Narsaraopet, Vinukonda, Sattenapalli and Macherla along with blood storage facility, Mr. Venkataramana observed.

He asked the district Collector, G. Jayalakshmi, to ensure that the nine teams began their work or holding primary health centre level meetings and hold grama sabha to identify women health volunteers.

Each village would be judged for implementation of the project and those meeting the standards would be given a reward of Rs.50,000, he said. Those districts utilising the funds properly would get additional 15 per cent as an incentive, he added. The volunteers would also be given incentive.

District Medical and Health Officer M. Sonar Babu, Integrated Child Development Scheme Project Director Rama Devi, Velugu Project Director Ch. Vijay Mohan, District Panchayat Officer Radhakrishna, and ZP CEO, Sudhakar, attended the inter-departmental coordination meeting.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail