‘Panineer Poovine Varavelkkam’ Project for Newborn Care and Women’s Support

The Sasthamcotta Block Panchayat has started a special project called ‘Panineer Poovine Varavelkkam’ to take care of newborn babies and support women. This project is for pregnant women from BPL (Below Poverty Line) families who are going to have their first baby. It covers seven gram panchayats in the block.The project gives free health check-ups, counseling, post-delivery care for the mother and baby, and medicines. The support starts in the ninth month of pregnancy and continues for 15 days after the baby is born. The idea is to give mothers the same care they would get from their family. It reminds people that a safe pregnancy and the health of the mother and baby are the responsibility of the whole family.To carry out the project, groups of trained women called ‘Dhatri Brigades’ have been formed. These women are trained for one month to help and support new mothers. A small handbook is also being made with the help of doctors and the Women and Child Development Department. A free kit worth ₹2,500 is given to new mothers. It includes Ayurvedic medicines, as advised by government doctors.This project also helps women get jobs. Women aged 25 to 40 in the block are given training for self-employment. There are now six ‘Dhatri Brigades’ working, and each member is paid ₹500 per day. In the first year, 34 women got help through the project, and ₹2.5 lakh was spent. In the last four years, 284 women were supported, with a total cost of about ₹12 lakh.