Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, May 19, 2015 :

The Odisha government has announced to launch a special five-year scheme to bring down the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in the remote areas of the state very soon.

Presiding over the eighth meeting of the Odisha Health Mission (OHM), chief minister Naveen Patnaik here on Tuesday, Patnaik said his government is committed to provide better health services to the people.

“With the successful implementation of Biju Krushi Kalyan Yojana (BKKY), Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), Odisha State Treatment Fund (OSTF) and Niramay Yojana, the state government is committed to provide thriving health services to the people of the state,” Patnaik said.

The state government will spend Rs 50 crore per year under the scheme which will be implemented in 15 high burden and backward districts where priority would be given to the high risk mothers and their treatment. Besides, the government would take steps to provide Intensive Care Unit [ICU] facilities for the infants at the referral hospitals and all medical colleges and hospitals.

The chief minister also assured that the state would provide minimum assured diagnostic services (MSDS) in all community health centres (CHCs) in phases.

Besides, the meeting also decided to take special measures for malaria eradication, strengthening of nursing cadre, health services to women falling victims to gender discrimination through special operating procedures in government hospitals and health awareness programmes in the state.