Tatas, RIL, Gates Foundation launch save mother & child scheme

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Tata Trusts, MSD in India, Reliance Foundation and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have collaborated to form a healthcare initiative -- Project Aasman -- to reduce infant, neonatal and maternal mortality in the country.
The alliance has structured its model in consultation with the National Health Mission and will working in synergy with the governments at the Centre and the states levels.
"Project Aasaman will work towards facilitating the availability of quality healthcare under the five pillars of the Centre's reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health programme," according to statements from Tata Trusts and Reliance Foundation.

The initiative was launched in the Capital last evening.
Though the country reports "more than 30 million pregnancies annually, only 27 million of them reach the stage of delivery and over 56,000 mothers die during or within 48 hours of delivery.
"The first 48 hours are equally critical for the child as 50 per cent of neonatal deaths happen in the first 48 hours," the statement said.

It, however, did not mention how each of the promoters will spend or how much the project will cost.
At present, the states most acutely affected by the issue of maternal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate and infant mortality rate are Bihar, UP, Rajasthan and MP.

"Tata Trusts for the last hundred years, have been waging a battle against maternal, neonatal and child mortality. With this alliance, we offer our support through resources and infrastructure; safeguarding and promoting the health and wellbeing of every mother and child," Tata Trusts trustee RK Krishna Kumar said.
Commenting on the collaboration, Reliance Foundation founder chairperson Nita Ambani said, "I believe every life must be cared for and we should strive for a healthy India, where no mother is lost to childbirth and every child can live life to his or her fullest potential. And this will be possible through smart, strong and sustainable partnerships.

"This partnership goes beyond just funding but leveraging our rich institutional experience, valued expertise and a strong shared commitment to improving mother and child survival in the country," she added.