CHENNAI: Around 3.75 lakh women in the below poverty line category in the State will benefit under Janani Suraksha Yojana, a Central Government-funded project.

Until now, the cash assistance under the scheme was open only to rural women. Henceforth, poor women in urban areas who undergo delivery at home will receive Rs. 500 and those who go to hospitals Rs. 600 for "up to two live births."

The scheme is part of the State Government's efforts to improve the health of women.

The orientation workshop for Phase II of the Reproductive and Child Health Project, launched here on Friday, envisages training modules for doctors and better quality of service in both allopathic and Indian system of medicine. A number of schemes have been proposed.

In the first instance, the Government will buy 187 ambulances to be used by reputed non-government organisations in each district. In another 198 blocks roadworthy vehicles are being identified.

Helpline

Referral control rooms in district headquarters will be equipped with four-digit helpline, which ambulance drivers can contact to arrange for transportation of women to the nearest hospital. The control rooms will also alert the hospital to help them prepare for the emergency.

A blood donors' directory will be prepared in each district. Under phase I of RCH, year round blood donation camps were held in Madurai and Theni districts and stored in government hospitals there.

A similar exercise is proposed for the entire State.

Under the Indian system of medicine, women health professionals will undergo training programme in the concept and use of drugs. A drug kit containing 50 drugs, that do not contain heavy metals, will be provided to village health nurses. Health professionals will be trained.

Health sub-centres will receive Rs. 10,000 as united funds to meet essential contingent expenses. In consultation with the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society, the 385 comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care centres will provide laboratory services for diagnosis, treatment, voluntary counselling and testing services for HIV. The society has appointed counsellors for family health clinics.

District officials have been provided funds to conduct scan centre audit. Also, 774 primary health centres will be provided telephone connections. Each PHC will be given Rs. 1,000 every month to upgrade and maintain its theatre facility.

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