Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called for turning Mamta Abhiyan for saving maternal and infant lives as a campaign of society and people. He urged all sections of society to cooperate in this campaign, which has been started with the cooperation of UNICEF to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate.
Chouhan was launching second phase of the campaign at Samanvay Bhavan on Thursday. Health Minister Narottam Mishra and noted cine star Madhuri Dixit were especially present on the occasion. Madhuri Dixit has been appointed as brand ambassador of the campaign for two years.Chouhan said that 24-hour power supply has been ensured and infrastructure development works undertaken in the State. Now, a campaign is being conducted to change the State focusing on health and education.
Arrangements have been made to provide better healthcare to women and children. Birth of child is the most beautiful incident in the world since nature goes on with it. Coordinated efforts have been made to ensure that mother faces no problems. Maternal and infant mortality rate has come down remarkably in the State.
Credit for successful healthcare efforts in rural areas goes to ASHA and health workers operating there. Public awareness will have to be created towards better health of women and children.
The Chief Minister said that Beti Bachao Abhiyan has been launched in the state to change people’s mindset about girls. A number of schemes including ladli laxmi Yojana, Gaon Ki Beti and Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana have been launched for girls in the state. Daughters are gifts of God. Society and country will survive only when girls survive. He urged to send every child to school.
Chouhan said that attention has been focused on health and education after attaining self-dependence in road, power and water sectors. State Government has resolved to ensure 100 percent institutional deliveries. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts for creating awareness towards health services and keeping family small. He said that field-level Anganwadi and ASHA worker’s role is praiseworthy in achievements of Madhya Pradesh in health sector.
Health Minister Mishra said that Madhya Pradesh has witnessed remarkable improvement in health sector. Institutional deliveries have gone up to 86 percent from 22 percent in the state. Constant efforts are being made to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate in the state. Services have been provided for safety of mothers. Gauravi Abhiyan has been launched to safeguard women’s honour.