Scheme to arrest IMR, MMR in remote Odisha dists soon

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, May 19:

The Odisha government will launch a special five-year scheme to bring down the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in the remote areas of the state very soon.

This was decided at the eighth meeting of the Odisha Health Mission (OHM) presided over by chief minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat here today.

It was decided in the meeting that the state government would spend Rs 50 crore per year under the scheme.

The new scheme would be implemented in 15 high burden and backward districts where priority would be given to the high risk mothers and their treatment. Besides, the government would take steps to provide ICU facilities for the infants at the referral hospitals and all medical colleges and hospitals.

Speaking at the meeting, the chief minister said the state government would provide minimum assured diagnostic services  (MSDS) in all community health centres (CHCs) in phases.

“With the successful implementation of Biju Krushi Kalyan Yojana (BKKY), Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), Odisha State Treatment Fund (OSTF) and Niramay Yojana, the state government is committed to provide thriving health services to the people of the state,” Patnaik said.

Besides, the meeting also decided to take special measures for malaria eradication, strengthening of nursing cadre, health services to women falling victims to gender discrimination through special operating procedures in government hospitals and health awareness programmes in the state.

Among others, ministers of Finance, Women and Child Development, Urban Development, Health and Family Welfare, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Development Commissioner, principal secretary to chief minister, principal secretary, Health and Family welfare and senior officials of the concerned departments were present at the meeting.