State Government’s Amma Baby Care Kits fail to reach people?

The scheme was introduced in 2014. Though the kits are considered useful, there are a few people, who do not receive what they are entitled to.

Recently, a mother was denied the kit following her son’s birth on September 1 at the Tiruttani Government Hospital. “The doctors told us that the kit was  distributed only to mothers who gave birth to  baby girls. However, we are aware that many families blessed with baby boys too received the kit,” said Radhakrishnan, the baby’s grandfather, a security guard in Tiruvanmayur.

Dr S Srinivasan, Head of Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit at the Institute of Child health and Children’s Hospital (ICH) in Egmore, said, “Every mother knows about this scheme. News about this scheme is being given wide publicity but through word of mouth and mothers are usually given the kit before being discharged from the hospital. If a child did not get the kit,  it could possibly be due to some miscommunication. Or it could be due to some other factor such as a mother leaving the hospital against medical advice. However, the government has stressed that all babies get the kits and it’s shocking to note that a child was denied the kit.”

Stating that it the kits were available to all babies of both genders, Dr K Kolandaisamy, Director, Department of Public Health, said, “Every year we distribute around six lakh kits. We have never received such a complaint. Even though no major announcement is made in this regard as a whole, all mothers coming to Government Hospitals for delivery, are informed about the scheme. Besides, when Ministers go to other districts and announcements are made.”

“The kits are distributed to ensure good health and well-being of both the mother and baby and we wish that all benefit from the scheme. This is the first time we have received such a complaint and we will look into the matter immediately to ensure that no one is denied of the benefits,” added  Kolandaisamy.