Extending the scope of the Janani Shishu Suraksha Yojana (JSSY) with an aim to bring down the infant mortality rate (IMR) in the State, the Rajasthan government has decided to provide free treatment to newborns till they complete one year. This will include diagnostics, medicine and free transportation facilities.
The scheme is applicable to all children born in public health facilities. The decision comes amidst reports of suspected diphtheria deaths in Alwar district over the past few days.
As many as six children have reportedly died of diphtheria in Gothri village in Laxmangarh block of Alwar and over a dozen are being treated for similar symptoms in the local hospital.
Officials said swab samples have been sent to SMS Hospital, Jaipur, to ascertain whether they are suffering from diphtheria. Health authorities have launched an immunisation campaign in the area where cases have been reported.
The JSSY, launched by the United Progressive Alliance government in 2011, provides free treatment for a mother and her newborn for up to one month in a public healthcare facility.
In a directive issued to all Chief Medical and Health Officers in the State, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM) Navin Jain has asked them to implement the provisions with immediate effect. The move may also help Rajasthan achieve the millennium development goal (MDG) targets to bring down IMR from 49 deaths per 1,000 live births at present to 28 deaths by the end of 2015. Similarly, the under-five mortality rate that is currently 59 per 1,000 live births at present has to be brought down to 38.
About 17 lakh children are born in Rajasthan every year or approximately 4,651 children per day.
