Maternal and neonatal services introduced through NRHM
Janani Sishu Surakshya Kosh (JSSK) invokes a new approach to health care, placing for the first time, utmost emphasis on entitlements and elimination of out-of-pocket expenses for both pregnant women and sick neonates. JSSK entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no-expense delivery, including caesarean section. It stipulates that all expenses related to delivery in public institutions would be borne entirely by the government and no user charges would be levied. Under this initiative, a pregnant woman is entitled to free transport from home to the government health facility, between facilities, in case she is referred on account of complications, and also drop back home after 48 hours of delivery. The JSSK has been established along with Janani Surakshya Yojana (Safe Motherhood scheme through institutional delivery) to reduce maternal mortality and infant mortality. The four case studies from the four states of Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal highlights the way these services have been introduced and the callousness of the health care providers; it also raises the issue of right to life of these marginalised and poor woman in health care settings. |