Health Ministry to celebrate International Women’s Day as ‘Safe Motherhood Day’: Shri J P Nadda

Three-day long nationwide initiative to improve women’s health

In a major initiative towards ensuring better health for women of the country, a three-day special nationwide campaign is being launched by the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry from 8-10 March, 2015. The Union health and Family Welfare Minister Shri J P Nadda stated, “Under the initiative, special health check-up camps will be held at the District Hospitals, Sub-district Hospitals (SDHs) and Community Health Centers (CHCs) on three days, on 8th, 9th and 10th March 2015. These will offer free of charge health check-up to all women, including pregnant women across the country.” “We are committed to better health of women of the country and this initiative will go a long way in helping us reach this objective,” the Minister said. “The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is organising various activities to mark the International Women’s Day (8th March 2015) as its commitment to women’s health,” Shri Nadda added. “The CHCs/SDHs/District Hospitals will screen and carry out necessary investigation, as needed, of all the women who visit during the three days and treatment, if required, shall be provided free of cost. All women aged 40-60 years will be screened for breast cancer and between 30-60 years for cervical cancer,” the Minister said. The Minister further stated that antenatal and postnatal care services will also be provided and Mother and Child Protection (MCP) cards will be issued to the women. Identified high risk pregnant women will be flagged on the MCP cards. If needed, such cases will be referred to higher level health facilities. Family Planning services will also be offered free of cost at the camps. The women will be counseled on birth preparedness, danger signs during pregnancy, nutrition, institutional delivery and Post-Partum Family Planning (PPFP), care during pregnancy and postnatal care, breastfeeding and complementary feeding, importance of nutrition including iron-folic acid consumption and calcium supplementation, importance of institutional delivery, identification of referral transport, entitlements under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK). In New Delhi, such health check-up camps are also being organized at Dr. RML and Safdarjung hospitals, the Health Minister informed. In addition, one ASHA will be felicitated in each Block in the States for her contribution to women’s empowerment and community healthcare. Courtesy: pib.nic.in