Vande Mataram scheme launched

Bhagirathi Neotia Woman & Child Care Centre (BNWCC) has joined central government's Vande Mataram Scheme (VMS).

Under the scheme, free OPD services including ante natal check up would be made available to all pregnant women. VMS would also extend family planning counselling to new mothers regularly from the public and private health care platform on the ninth day of every month.

Union health and welfare minister, Sushma Swaraj graced the occasion. She was supposed to launch the scheme but, refrained from doing so with the announcement of the poll dates.

However, she spoke about the benefits of the scheme and pointed out that maternal mortality in the country was as high as 407.

When asked about the role of the state government, she said on the sidelines of the press conference, state government should play a more positive role. The occasion also marked the opening of the ICU facility at BNWCC to handle any post operative complications which may arise.