By IANS,
Guwahati : Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Monday launched an Assam government scheme entitling all pregnant women to free delivery — including caesarean section — in public health institutions.
The “Janani Sishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)” also provides for free transport from home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral and a drop back home. Azad also launched 23 mobile medical units (MMUs) for the 23 sub-divisions in the state.
Azad, who arrived here on Sunday to review the performance of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in the state, lauded the efforts of the Assam government for making it a success.
“Gandhiji dreamt of a country where there are roads to interior remote places and medical facilities for all including the people living in remote areas,” said Azad and added that the NRHM has been turning Gandhiji’s dreams into reality.
Also inaugurating the two-day All India Gandhian Summit on the Mahatma’s death anniversary, Azad said that Gandhian principles and ideals still have a relevance in the world and can be the only solution for communal violence and differences among various communities in the country.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who was also present on the occasion, said that Gandhiji’s principles and ideals have special relevance in Assam and in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The militants who have surrendered recently in Assam must have followed the path of non-violence shown by Gandhiji. I appeal to those who are yet to shun the path of violence to follow the path of non-violence shown by Gandhiji,” Gogoi said while referring to the recent surrender of close to 700 militants belonging to nine militant outfits in Assam.
Gogoi also said that Assam is going to set up a skill development centre in the state for unemployed youth, adding it will be named after Mahatma Gandhi.