The Union Minister for Health Ghulam Nabi Azad today launched a new scheme for the pregnant women across the country that would cover all expenses of women from birth of a baby to treatment of the sick child. Azad Addressing a press conference here after chairing a review meeting of health officials, said he chaired a meeting of health officials and reviewed the performance of health sector. “We have come to know that there is a very slow progress of centrally sponsored schemes,” he said. He said he directed the officials to ensure proper implementation of schemes. He said Government of India has launched a scheme that would further benefit the pregnant ladies.
“Now there will be free treatment to both child and his or her mother,” he said. Azad said the Central government had initiated several centrally-sponsored schemes for the state to improve the healthcare facilities particularly for expecting mothers and infants. "Free medicines will be provided to new-born babies up to the age of one month while expecting mothers, who deliver baby at government hospital, will receive assistance as provided under the scheme," he said. The union minister also talked about new initiatives introduced in the country to focus on health care of woman and child. Azad said the Centre had introduced many schemes to benefit patients of diabetes, malignancy, cardio-vascular disorders and hypertension. "We are funding the programs at district level to scan patients with these diseases all over the country including Jammu and Kashmir," he said.