Healthcare for Women in Minority Dominated Areas

Women residing in minority areas are as susceptible to various diseases as women residing in other areas irrespective of religious affiliations or minority status.

Government have initiated various programmes/schemes for improving the health of women in the country. These schemes, inter-alia include Janani-Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) and Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). The Janani-Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions in both rural and urban areas to absolutely free and no expense delivery including caesarean section; free diagnostics; free blood where required; free transportation to and fro between home and health facility as also, between institutions in case of referral. This facility is also available to sick neonates. The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a safe motherhood intervention being implemented with the objective of reducing maternal and neo-natal mortality by promoting institutional delivery. JSY integrates cash assistance with delivery and post-delivery care to the eligible poor pregnant women. Other services provided to women free of cost in public health facilities include safe abortion, STI/RTI contraceptives & sterlization, etc. Women are also given focused attention under various disease control programmes like National Vector Borne Disease Control programme, Revised National Tuberculosis Control programme, National Leprosy Control Programme and National Blindness Control Programme.

The above information was given by the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.