Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay will launch the state government’s Thaaimaman Thanga Mothiram scheme on September 28, following a review meeting on its rollout and implementation at the Secretariat on Friday.
The scheme is part of the government’s Vettri Tamilagam long-term vision and aims to mark the birth of children in government hospitals while boosting public confidence in state-run healthcare services. It also draws from the Tamil cultural tradition of Thaaimaman Seer, news agency ANI reported.
One-gram gold ring for babies born in government hospitals
Under the scheme, every child born in a government hospital from June 22 onwards will be given a one-gram gold ring. The Government Order for the initiative was issued on June 23.
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Tamil Nadu records around 7.80 lakh births every year. According to National Family Health Survey-6, 99.9% of deliveries in the state take place in institutions. Around 4.20 lakh, or 53%, of these deliveries are conducted in government hospitals.
{{/usCountry}}Tamil Nadu records around 7.80 lakh births every year. According to National Family Health Survey-6, 99.9% of deliveries in the state take place in institutions. Around 4.20 lakh, or 53%, of these deliveries are conducted in government hospitals.
{{/usCountry}}Of the deliveries in government hospitals, 90% take place at Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEMONC) centres, highlighting the role of the public health system in providing safe delivery and childbirth services.
1,28,000 gold rings procured for initial rollout
The state government said each gold ring will carry a unique serial number and be distributed in tamper-proof packaging. A total of 1,28,000 gold rings have been procured for the first phase of the scheme.
Mothers who are permanent residents of Tamil Nadu and have registered with the Pregnancy and Child Tracking (PICME) system and obtained an RCH ID will be eligible for the benefit.
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To cover babies born between June 22 and the launch date, the government will distribute the rings through 107 hubs across the state from September 28. Each hub will distribute rings to 100 babies per day.
From September 28, babies born in government hospitals will receive the gold ring at the time of discharge.
Government highlights focus on mother and child health
The Tamil Nadu government said mother and child health has been a key priority in the state. It cited the implementation of financial assistance for pregnant women, free delivery services, newborn care, maternity treatment, nutrition support and birth planning.
The government also highlighted the use of the Pregnancy and Child Tracking (PICME) software for monitoring and evaluation, saying these measures have contributed to significant improvement in maternal and child health indicators in the state.
According to the government, the Thaaimaman Thanga Mothiram scheme is intended to increase public trust in government medical services, encourage safe institutional deliveries, strengthen mother and child health protection and demonstrate its commitment to child welfare.
Senior officials attend review meeting
The review meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Joseph Vijay at the Secretariat.
The meeting was attended by Medical and Medical Education and Public Health Minister Dr. Ma. Ka. Arunraj, Chief Secretary Dr. Mu. Vaikumar IAS, Director General of Police Thiru Mahesh Kumar Agarwal IPS, Health and Family Welfare Secretary Dr. Thares Ahmad IAS, National Health Mission Director Dr. Aneesh Segar IAS, Director of Municipal Administration P. Mathusoothan Reddy IAS, Tamil Nadu Health System Project Director Dr. S. Uma IAS, Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner Dr. G.S. Sameeran IAS and other senior officials.
(With inputs from ANI)