‘MATRUJYOTI’ FOR ENSURING ANTENATAL CARE AND MOTHER & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Bureau,Odishabarta

Sundargarh Dist. Administration Launches Series of Development Initiatives;

Four times ultrasound test for all pregnant women in the district 28000 mothers to benefit annually with Antenatal Care Service,Renovation & Up gradation 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 Bandhin Sundargarh town

SUNDARGARH,Series of development programs have been launched in Sundargarh district to foster women and child development.The flagship programin this subject, ‘Matrujyoti’ was inaugurated at a special ceremony held on Sunday at Sadbhavana Bhawan, Collectorate Sundargarh. In addition, initiativeswere launched to provide life skills training for adolescent girls and women and joborientedcourses for migrants and local youth of mining affected areas.

The logo of ‘Matrujyoti’,which will be used as an umbrella program for various women and child development interventions, was unveiled on the occasion. Similarly, the quarterly newsletter ‘Ama Sundargarh’ was also released. The newsletter shall present various developmental projects and connect with the stakeholders and general public of the district.

“In Sundargarh, thematernal and infant mortality rate is lower than the state rate. We aim to further strengthen mother and child health programs under the ‘Matrujyoti’ initiative. In addition to the present services under ‘Mamata’ scheme for antenatal care, the district administration will take steps to ensure ultrasound tests four times during pregnancy for every mother”, saidShri Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, Collector Sundargarh.

28,000 MOTHERS TO BENEFIT ANNUALLY

Along witheight government hospitals in the district, 41 private ultrasound clinics have been contracted to provide ultrasound services to pregnant women. The program will benefit more than 28,000 mothers in the district each year.

Steps are also being taken to make Anganwadi more accommodating for both mothers and children. The district has taken up modernizationof more than 2,500 Anganwadi Centres and shall build over more than 700 Model Anganwadi Centres with modern infra and child friendly amenities. Under the ‘Matrujyoti’ program, various measures have also been taken to improve the health of children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) condition.

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

Among others, MLA Rourkela & Chairman DPC Shri Sarada Prasad Nayak, MLA Sundargarh Smt. Kusum Tete, MLA RajgangpurDr.CSRaazenEkka, MLA TalsaraShri Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, Chairperson Zilla ParishadMs. Emma Ekka, SP SundargarhMs.Sagaraika Nath, PD DRDA Shri Bhairabh Singh Patel, Sub Collector Sundargarh Shri Abhimanyu Behera, CDMO Sundargarh Dr. Saroj Kumar Mishra, CEO DMF Shri RasaiLagoriand DSWO Smt. Prativa Das graced the occasion.

FOCUS ON LIVELIHOOD

District Administration also signed an MoU with HumaraBachpan Trust to implement a Life Skills Programme for Adolescent Girls and Women. The programme will help them augment their skills for a better livelihood.This program is supported from NTPC CSR fund. Smt. Dharitri Patnaik, Founder Chairperson HumaraBachpan Trust and Chairperson FICCI Ladies Organisation FLO, Bhubaneswar Chapter signed the MoU with the administration.

Similarly, a job oriented residential training program on Hotel Management for migrants and local youth of mining affected areas has been initiated. The candidates will be offered diploma and degree courses on the subject at State Institute of Hotel Management, Balangir.

DEVELOPMENT OF BIJULI BANDH

Work has started for the renovation & development of Bijuli Bandh in Sundargarh town. The site will have amenities like musical fountain, jogging track, cycle track, children’s play area, open air theatre and open gym etc. adding value to the life of locals.

The formal stone for the same was laid by MLA Rourkela & DPC Chairman Shri Sarada Prasad Nayak in presence of MLA Sundargarh, Zilla Parishad Chairperson, Collector & DM Sundargarh, SP Sundargarh and other dignitaries.