In an effort to reduce maternal and neo-natal mortality, the State government has allotted Rs. 77.59 crore for ambulance services.
“The free pick up and drop back facilities made available through 108 ambulances and government ambulances have benefited 6.40 lakh persons including 1.59 lakh ante-natal mothers and 15,365 sick neonates till now. Rs. 77.59 crore has been allocated for this scheme in the budget ,” Finance Minister O. Paneerselvam announced.
“In the next six months, around 67 neo-natal ambulances will be introduced in a phased manner. Currently the 108 ambulances are also used to drop mothers back at home after their ante-natal check up following delivery,” said a senior official of GVK EMRI 108.
“Enormous focus is going to be on neonates and ante-natal mothers,” the official added.
Senior citizens have welcomed the increase in allocation for pensioners.
S.M. Chellaswamy, secretary general of the National Alliance of Senior Citizens Association of India said, “We welcome the decision to increase the assistance given to each bereaved family under the pensioner’s family security fund scheme from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 50,000.”
“We were part of the health insurance scheme in the previous government. We are happy that the government has now announced a new insurance scheme for pensioners. One of the poll promises that of free bus pass to senior citizens has not found mention. We hope the Chief Minister would look into it too.”
