On anvil,insurance cover for childbirth

With an allocation of Rs 60 crore,the proposal is a part of the additional project implementation plan (PIP) of Rs 1,922.05 crore,approved by the governing body of NRHM on Wednesday. The Centre has already approved the state main PIP worth Rs 4,688 crore.

The insurance coverage would be provided in 17 districts. Officials said that the districts were chosen on the basis of high maternal mortality ratio and where the socio-economic conditions are bad. However,among the 17 districts,Mainpuri and Kannauj have been also chosen that have lesser maternal deaths. While Mainpuri happens to be SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav’s parliamentary constituency,Kannauj was being represented by Chief Minister Akhliesh Yadav and now by his wife Dimple. On the other hand,districts with much higher MMR have been left out. (See box)

Though maternal death audits are part of NRHM,not more than 10 per cent maternal deaths in hospitals are reported. The reporting is even lower in those cases where the woman dies at home. “Unless the reporting of death and death audit improves,it is very difficult for the department to improve maternal health and remove the cause of death,” explained an official. He expect that around 50 per cent of the maternal deaths should be reported once the scheme is implemented.

So under the new scheme,a death audit will also be conducted for each case before the insurance amount is paid. The system will provide an incentive to bring even the complicated cases to hospitals.

Offcials said an estimated more than 3,000 women die in hospitals during childbirth in the 17 districts in a year. With an insurance coverage of Rs 1 lakh,Rs 30 crore has been proposed for insurance and another Rs 30 crore to support hospitalisation of women who become seriously ill during their pregnancy.

An official said: “Women,who have been admitted in the hospital for at least five days during the pregnancy,will be given Rs 5,000.”