Janani Sishu Suraksha scheme launched

HYDERABAD: With an aim to bring down the maternity mortality rate (MMR) and the infant mortality rate (IMR) in the state, the state government is offering various kinds of assistance to pregnant women under the centrally-sponsored Janani Sishu Suraksha Karyakramam (JSSK). Minister for health DL Ravindra Reddy formally launched the scheme at a function held in his chamber at the Secretariat here on Saturday.He said the main objective of JSSK was to bring down the MMR from from 134 (in 2009) to 110 by 2012 and to 100 by 2015. Likewise, the IMR will be brought down from 49 (in 2009) to 40 by 2012 and to 30 by 2015.The central government sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the programme. The health minister sought  the help of women and child welfare department to bring down MMR and IMR as the Anganwadi women will have to play a key role in distributing nutritious food to pregnant women.“According to the records, about 56 per cent of women in the state are  anaemic. Better treatment for anaemia will automatically reduce the MMR and IMR,’’ he said.Reddy said that acting on a public interest litigation (PIL), the Supreme Court directed governments to extend financial assistance to pregnant women even in cases of delivery at home. The government is already giving Rs 700 to pregnant women in rural areas and Rs 600 to those in urban areas for institutional delivery.