UNICEF celebrity advocate Madhuri Dixit said that she was happy after joining Mamta Abhiyan of the State Government. She said that India is a country of diversities with different cultures and traditions. It is difficult to bring them together. She said that ASHA and Anganwadi workers putting in hard work for better health of mothers and children are praiseworthy.
She was speaking at the launch of second phase of the Mamta Abhiyan at Samanvay Bhavan here on Thursday.
Madhuri Dixit in her new role praised the efforts of the Government of Madhya Pradesh and shared that it was inspiring for her to learn about MP State Government’s partnership with UNICEF and the many initiatives which have been collectively undertaken for saving the lives of newborns and their mothers.
“I wholeheartedly support ‘Mamta Abhiyan’ which will help save lives of children and women. I understand that this campaign is about communicating simple lifesaving messages to all caregivers, and parents with love, respect and protection (Sneh, Samman and Suraksha),” she said.
Everyone needs to understand that most maternal and neonatal deaths can be prevented through proven and simple interventions which are part of this campaign, Madhuri added.
She said that lives of 80 percent women can be saved with a little awareness. She urged people to avail benefit of these facilities through awareness. Urging for uniform behaviour with sons and daughter, she called of sending girls to schools saying that education to mothers opens doors of progress and prosperity.
Trevor Clark, Chief of UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh shared “The State has seen progress in the decline of MMR and IMR, but there is a need to increase the pace of the change and we are glad and thankful to Madhuri Dixit, for joining hands with us and supporting this process which I am sure which will yield positive results.”
The Chief Minister, Health Minister Narottam Mishra and Madhuri Dixit felicitated health workers and officers for excellent performance in reduction of maternal and infant rate and provision of health services at district, village and division levels.
Among ASHA workers, Gunjan of Khandwa, Smt. Durga Deora of Ratlam and Nisha Tiwari of Panna were felicitated. The Chief Minister felicitated Snehlata Tiwari of Sidhi, Smt. Mamta Gautam of Rajgarh and Sunita Kirar of Alirajpur for excellent performance in institutional delivery. Similarly, the Health Minister felicitated Bhopal’s health officer Dr Pankaj Shukla, Dr Prakash Garg of Dewas and Dr Hemant Sinha of Balaghat. Dr Jamra of Bhopal, Dr Nidhi Vyas of Gwalior and Dr Sharad Pandit of Indore were honoured for excellent work.
The Chief Minister handed over campaign’s logo, memento of Sanchi Stupa and shawl made of kosa to Madhuri Dixit. He also released CD of a film based on Mamta Abhiyan, booklet containing guidelines, booklet published by Social Behaviour Cell, CD of campaign’s song and brochure of Mamta Abhiyan.
Giving information about nature of Mamta Abhiyan, Principal Secretary Health Praveer Krishna informed that rural health providing system has been strengthened. Teams comprising about 75 thousand workers and 7,000 doctors are engaged in this work benefiting 20 lakh mothers and 20 lakh children. Minister of State for Health Sharad Jain, Bhopal MP Alok Sanjar and Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa were also present on the occasion.