Assam launches Rs.300 mn rural health care project

GUWAHATI - The Assam government Tuesday launched a Rs. 300 million project offering nutritious meals and compensation for wage-loss to indoor patients, besides post-natal care to the mother, in an initiative that is expected to revolutionise the region\’s rural healthcare sector.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi launched the two initiatives - Morom (Assamese for Love) and Mamta (Care), seen as yet another step forward in bolstering rural healthcare facilities in the state after Assam last week won the best performing state award for implementation of the National Rural Health Mission.

As part of Morom, an indoor patient admitted to any of the three medical colleges in Assam would receive Rs.75 per day for seven days, while for

patients admitted to district and primary health centres, the amount would be Rs.50 and Rs.30, respectively, per day.

\”The amount under the Morom initiative is meant for supplementary nutrition and marginal compensation for wage loss during hospitalisation,\”

state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Under the Mamta scheme, a mother would be provided complete post-natal care for 48 hours after delivery with the newborn to be gifted a baby kit comprising of a mosquito net, baby soap, oil, blanket, towel, flannel cloth, and a plastic sheet.

Both the schemes would be effective from May 1.

\”This is yet another small step forward in our commitment for better healthcare facilities in the state,\” Sarma said.

The Assam government recently appointed 800 graduate doctors in one single day - all posted in rural areas.

The state government last year announced a series of novel health packages including a Rs.1.8 billion scheme to do away with the traditional gender bias by offering financial assistance to the girl child and radical measures to improve the health of would-be mothers.

Under a scheme named \’Majoni\’ (Assamese for little girls), a new-born girl child would be given a fixed deposit instrument worth Rs.5,000 while a

would-be mother would get Rs.1,000 in cash - Rs.500 each during the first two check-ups.

Half the fixed deposit of Rs.5,000 can be encashed by the girl when she attains the age of 16 and the full amount when she turns 18.

Assam has also launched an ambitious family planning scheme. Couples choosing not to have babies for two years after marriage will get Rs.5,000 and those who opt not to have children for three years will get Rs.7,500.

\”We are all set to bring about more radical reforms in the healthcare sector in Assam,\” the minister said.