JSSK benefits denied at JNIMS?
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 23 2015:
As a consequence of internal wrang-ling over anomalies in the utilization of funds sanctioned by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India for Janani Sishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), mothers who delivered babies at JN Hospital have been denied all the benefits entitled to them under the scheme.
On hearing that monetary assistance entitled to expecting mothers under JSSK have been denied at JN Hospital, The Sangai Express talked with the hospital's Medical Superintendent.
Maintaining that he has no idea about implementation of JSSK and denial of benefits to mothers, the Medical Superintendent suggested this reporter to talk with his PA named Dhananjoy.
Dhananjoy said that a sum of Rs 19 lakh was released a few days back for JSSK.
He informed that the sum may be withdrawn today after the Director's return from Secretariat.
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) staff manning the JSSK counter at JN Hospital said that monetary assistance entitled to women who delivered babies at the hospital under JSSK has not been given since the month of February.
Interestingly the only duty of the NRHM staff manning the JSSK counter is to distribute money handed over to them by JN Hospital authority with due approval of the Medical Superintendent to mothers who delivered babies at the hospital.
With a view to garner more details, this reporter sought an appointment with the JNIMS Director and waited for the Director at his PA's room.
In the meantime, some staff were seen searching for JSSK files.
After waiting for around 40 minutes, this reporter was given an appointment with the Director.
Not long after entering the Director's room, a staff came in with a JSSK file which was promptly signed and handed back together with a cheque of Rs 10 lakh.
After signing the file, the Director said, "It is not known whether the money sanctioned by the Government of India is being used properly or not" .
On being enquired about JSSK, the Director said that the cheque of Rs 10 lakh issued a few moments back was out of Rs 19 lakh sanctioned by the Government of India.
It is reported that the total amount of Rs 19 lakh was released by the Chief Medical Officer, Imphal East before the Yaoshang festival.
Incidentally, JN Hospital is one of the key hospitals of Manipur and many babies are being delivered at the hospital everyday.
On being discharged from the hospital after child delivery, the mothers should be given certain amount of money as entitled to them under JSSK.
However, as no money is available at the JSSK counter, many women who delivered babies at the hospital have to go back home without receiving the JSSK benefits, informed a source.