'Rs 2.67 cr aid for pregnant women in TN Dist'

Pudukkottai (Tamil Nadu), Sep 16: Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest S Regupathy said the Tamil Nadu Government had allocated Rs 2.67 crore for providing financial assistance to pregnant women, under the Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Scheme, in the district during the current year.

Inaugurating 22 upgraded Primary Health Centres (PHCs) at a function held at the Perungalur PHC near here yesterday, Mr Regupathy said the upgradation of the PHCs would go a long way in providing fillip to the rural health services.

As many as 530 babies were delivered on an average every month in the 52 PHCs in the district.

More medical facilities, like First Aid during medical emergencies, would prevent loss of life during child deliveries.

Normal deliveries will be handled in these centres with the help of trained nurses and those needing surgical interventions would be referred to government hospitals.

A total of 22 PHCs in the district were upgraded and converted into 24-hour health care centres in connection with the Anna Birth Centenary Celebrations. With this, all 52 PHCs in the district would have round-the-clock delivery services.

He also inaugurated free noon-meal scheme for pregnant women. The pregnant women visiting the PHCs would be given free nutritious food once a week.

UNI