Incentives for pregnant women, courtesy the State’s flagship health scheme ‘KCR Kit’, has led to a marked increase in the number of institutional deliveries in the district.
The CKM Government Maternity Hospital in Warangal used to witness 300 to 350 deliveries per month until nine months ago, but now the figure has doubled. The scheme, which provides a 15-item kit worth ₹2,000 to new mothers, was launched in June last year.
Speaking to The Hindu , Collector K. Amrapali said KCR Kit is of “considerable help” to poor pregnant women. She said the specially-equipped ‘102’ Ammavodi vehicles were being deployed to take pregnant women to State-run hospitals where they underwent two medical tests, administered TT injection and given folic acid supplements apart from ₹3,000 in cash.
After delivery, the woman is given ₹5,000 for a girl child and ₹4,000 for a boy. In the third phase, the new mother gets ₹2,000 and then ₹3,000 in the fourth phase in addition to other injections.
The KCR Kit is in addition to other incentives and comprises expensive commodities, which are otherwise not affordable for the poor. Each kit includes a baby bed, baby powder, two towels, baby shampoo, baby oil, two soaps, play material, two sarees and soap for new mother, one kit bag, mosquito net and a plastic bag among others.
“Every item in the kit is very essential and most useful for the new mother and baby,” Ms. Amrapali said.
Since its introduction, the scheme has benefited 11,091 women. In the first phase, the financial assistance of ₹3,000 was deposited in bank accounts of 9,319 women.
In the second phase, an amount of ₹3,000 was deposited into the accounts of 4,111 women.
Given a choice, not many would buy the items covered in KCR Kit since cash comes more handy. However, the essential commodities being extended through the kit in addition to financial benefits have encouraged women to prefer an institutional delivery.
The Government Maternity Hospital, Hanamkonda, which was the resort of the poorest of poor, would usually bear a deserted look. But, not anymore. “The hospital has been given a facelift and many facilities made available. Recently, we opened a safe drinking water facility and are determined to do more as per the needs of the patients and staff,” Ms Amrapali added.
