‘Matrujyoti’ Scheme For Pregnant Women Launched In Odisha’s Sundargarh

Sundargarh: In order to ensure antenatal care and improve health care of mother and child, the district administration on Sunday launched ‘Matrujyoti’ programme.

Speaking at the launch of the scheme at the collectorate here, district collector Nikhil Pavan Kalyan said, “In Sundargarh, the maternal and infant mortality rate is lower than the state rate. We aim to further strengthen mother and child health programmes under the ‘Matrujyoti’ initiative.”

The logo of ‘Matrujyoti’, which will be used as an umbrella programme for various women and child development interventions, was unveiled and the quarterly newsletter ‘Ama Sundargarh’ released on the occasion.

Highlights of ‘Matrujyoti’ programme:

• Four times ultrasound test for all pregnant women in the district
• 28000 mothers to benefit annually with Antenatal Care Service
• Renovation and upgradation of more than 2500 Anganwadi Centres
• Construction of 700 Model Anganwadi Centres
• Life skills programme for adolescent girls and women
• Job oriented hotel management courses for migrants and local youth
• Development of Bijuli Bandh in Sundargarh town

The District Mineral Foundation, DMF Sundargarh and Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC) have provided funds for the ‘Matrujyoti’.

The MLAs of the district, zilla parishad chairperson, SP, PD DRDA and CDMO were present at the ceremony.

The district administration also signed an MoU with Humara Bachpan Trust to implement a life skills programme for adolescent girls and women. The programme is supported from NTPC CSR fund.

Similarly, a job oriented residential training programme on hotel management for migrants and local youth of mining affected areas was launched. The candidates will be offered diploma and degree courses on the subject at State Institute of Hotel Management, Balangir.