MCCH Anantnag ‘fails’ to implement centrally sponsored scheme
Anantnag: Maternity and Child Care Hospital here in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district has not implemented Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) scheme under which pregnant women and parents of sick new- born get free
medical service. The hospital administration has been charging money for the tests conducted by pregnant women.
Dozens of pregnant women complained and informed that hospital employees are taking money from them for the blood, urine, and other tests.
Mubeena Akhtar with ANC number 45 from Hafatnar Anantnag said that she didn’t reap any benefit that she deserved under JSSK Scheme.
“I was charged money for every test at Maternity and Child Care Hospital (MCCH) Anantnag,” she alleged.
Government of India had launched Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) on 1st June, 2011 to ensure better facilities for women and child health services. It is an initiative to provide completely free and cashless
services to pregnant women including normal deliveries and caesarean operations and sick new born (up to 30 days after birth) in Government health institutions in both rural and urban areas. All the States and UTs have
initiated implementation of the scheme.
Another pregnant woman Mahajabeen with ANC number 59 said that hospital authorities charged money from her.
“I had heard about this scheme but the employees told her that no such scheme is operational here,” she added.
Bano, an expecting mother hailing from Kund Qazigund said that every pregnant woman in the hospital has to spend from her own pocket.
When contacted, Government Medical College Principal Dr Showkat Jeelani said that the scheme has been implemented in the hospital.
He assured strict action against the violators and promised investigation into the matter. “Under this scheme, hospital authorities are not supposed to charge anything from pregnant women, but if it has happened or is
happening at MCCH Anantnag, I will definitely take action,” Dr Jeelani said. (KNT)
KV News
