Multiple benefits for women delivering at government hospitals

Tirupati: There are plenty of reasons for the parents of the newborn babies to have smiles on their faces at the Government Maternity Hospital in Tirupati. The pregnant women are now entering the hospital with delivery pains and within three days are coming out with all cheers by having their new bornbaby safely in their hands close to their heart.

Much to their relief they will get the birth certificate issued in hospital itself along with the enrolment for Aadhaar besides getting some other benefits. The Aadhaar card will be issued through the enrolment at the hospital itself. This facility is confined to the maternity hospital at Tirupati for the time being as it was the one among selected hospitals under pilot project in the state. Parents have to submit required particulars and photo at the hospital.

Highlights:

• Increase in normal deliveries at govt hospitals
• Maternity Hospital in Tirupati selected under pilot project by state government
• Talli Bidda Express safely transports the mother and the new born baby to their homes
• NTR Baby Kit, introduced in September 2016, is handed over to every mother
• Also, birth certificate and Aadhaar card issued at hospital

After enrolment, a message containing the unique identification number will be sent to the parents’ mobile number. They can take a print out at Mee Seva centre.The days of going around several times to municipal offices following the cumbersome process for obtaining birth certificates are history now for the deliveries that took place in government hospitals. The hassle free issuing of these certificates is being welcomed by many parents.

Almost all the parents take birth certificates but some were not claiming Aadhaar card. On an average, 500 Aadhaar enrolments taking place per month.Most of the deliveries were taking place in area hospitals and maternity hospital only. For instance, in March 2017, area hospitals recorded 1,003 deliveries while maternity hospital recorded 987 against the total deliveries of 2,916 in the district which includes deliveries in PHCs, CHCs, district headquarters hospital also.

All of these deliveries were eligible for various welfare schemes of the AP government being implemented with the support of National Health Mission. But 14 home deliveries in March and 1,929 deliveries in private hospitals will take the district tally to 4,859 deliveries. However, the last two categories are not eligible for any welfare schemes.

The patients can call 108 ambulance to shift pregnant woman to the hospital for delivery. Also, after the delivery, they will be sent safely to their home through 102 ambulance service which is called as ‘Talli Bidda Express’. At present, nine vehicles are in use at Government Maternity Hospital in Tirupati. Around 30-35 discharges are recorded in the hospital every day. More than 90 per cent use this facility which goes to even distant places and the neighbouring Kadapa and Nellore districts. Mother and her newborn along with one attendant are allowed to go home in this vehicle.

For the benefit of the newborn, the state government is giving NTR Baby Kit which contains a towel, baby bed with zip bag, liquid soap and a mosquito net. This scheme is being implemented from September 2016 onwards. An amount of Rs 1,000 is also credited into the bank account of newborn’s mother.

After uploading the details online of mother’s account number, other details and Aadhaar number, the DM&HO office will credit it directly to her account. However, for urban mothers only Rs 600 will be credited irrespective of BPL or APL families. More normal deliveries were also taking place in government hospitals which has become a boon for many and the increasing number deliveries gives enough evidence for this.

By V Pradeep Kumar