Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami distributed health kits to pregnant women. Nearly 6 lakh expectant mothers in the State will get Maternal and Child Health nutrition kits every year. These kits are worth Rs 2000 each and the aim is to prevent anaemia in pregnant women and ensure proper birth weight of babies. This scheme was launched at the Government Hospital for Women and Children, Egmore. According to the Chief Minister, the scheme would help in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in the State.
The kit consists of 1 kilo of nutritional powder, 3 bottles of iron tonic, 1 kilo of dates, 500 ml Aavin ghee and Albendazole tablets. Two baskets will be distributed to each woman. One in the third month of pregnancy and other in the fifth month. In the last 8 years 56. 36 lakh pregnant women had received financial assistance and it cost the exchequer Rs 4866.60 crores.
