lactating women*

Tamil Nadu government in a move to provide optimal nutrition for pregnant and lactating women, the Tamil Nadu government is all set to increase the benefits given under Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme by ₹ , . The cash assistance being provided to pregnant mothers under Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme is being further enhanced to ₹ , from ₹ , , said state health department officials. The new guidelines are under process to allot ₹ , along with revised nutrition programmes under the scheme. The financial aid of ₹ , was being given in three instalments (₹ ) for pregnant women aged years or more on conditional release and restricted for first two deliveries only.

However, the conditional release is being updated coupled with new nutrition plans and is likely to be implemented in April, said public health director Dr K Kolandaisamy. Every pregnant woman below poverty line who avails all required antenatal services during pregnancy in concerned primary health centre can benefit from the scheme. Mothers who deliver in government institutions and complete immunization for the child up to third dose of vaccinations under universal immunization programme are given the cash assistance. Other conditions are being upgraded and will be implemented shortly, state health department officials.

The registration of pregnant women is mandatory with the ‘Pregnant and Infant