Saturday 12 July 2014

CM Naveen Patnaik launches 102 Ambulance service for Pregnant and Infants

Bhubaneswar: The state government launched 'dial 102'National Ambulance Service (NAS) for free referral transport of pregnant women and sick infants under the centrally-sponsored Janani-Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK).


Chief minister Naveen Patnaik flagged off the ambulance service and launched population stabilization fortnight campaign. "It is time to address family planning issues in a systematic manner," Naveen said. A total of 118 basic life support ambulances (BLS) were pressed into service.

Health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said the service will go a long way in reducing state's maternal and child deaths by timely transport of pregnant women and sick infants free of cost to hospitals. Currently, Odisha's maternal mortality rate (MMR) at 235 is higher compared to 178 at the national level. The state's infant mortality rate at 57 too is significantly more than India's average of 44.

National Health Mission state director Roopa Mishra said an estimated 13 lakh beneficiaries will avail this service per year. The number of such ambulances will go up to 500 within three months, she said.
Source: Odishabook.com

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