SMALL FAMILY: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy presenting an incentive to a couple on World Population Day in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Health Minister K. Rosaiah is also seen. — PHOTO: SATISH H

HYDERABAD: Union Minister of State for Health P. Lakshmi has said that some political parties and NGOs are opposed to the proposal for one-child norm.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function organised to mark the World Population Day on Wednesday, she said the proposal was discussed at a meeting last year where some parties and NGOs had expressed their opposition. She, however, did not name them.

She said the Centre would release Rs.125 crores to Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences here and Rs.53 crores to Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), Tirupati, which have been recently upgraded to the status of AIIMS.

Appeal to doctors

Earlier, speaking at the function, she emphasised the importance of education and health in reducing infant and maternal mortality rates.

Urging doctors to educate their patients, she said Rs.8,200 crores has been earmarked under the National Rural Health Mission for improving the health sector, including infrastructure. She lauded the State Government for properly utilising Central funds.

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy emphasised the need to curb population growth. He said that Andhra Pradesh had fared well compared to other States.

He admitted that infant mortality rate (IMR) in the State was higher than some States and called for promoting institutional delivery to reduce it.

In a bid to encourage institutional delivery, bus passes were being issued for three antenatal checkups to pregnant women. Also Rs.1,000 was being provided for every delivery at a hospital.

As a result, institutional deliveries had increased from 60 to 80 per cent last year.

Health Minister K. Rosaiah said that the World Population Day should not be reduced to a ritual.

The event should be utilised to review achievements of the preceding year and finalise plans for the next five to ten years.

D. Vidyasagar, neo-natalogist from UIC Medical School Hospital, Chicago, said that educating the mother was key to reducing IMR and MMR.Cash incentives of Rs.10,000 for "ideal couples" who have adopted family welfare measures and other awards were given away to districts/institutions for best performance.

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