'Coupon Lao, Sehat Pao'

Richeek Mishra
Agra. This was first time in the city and the state, that health department has launched a new idea for welfare of women Below Poverty Line (BPL).
The Health Voucher Scheme (HVS) for reproductive health services was introduced on 14th March in the city. The project was started as a pilot project for seven rural blocks of Agra. Till now, this scheme has benefited over 3,500 women. These downtrodden women from rural areas have trouble getting two time meals a day, now, they get treatment at 10 renowned private hospitals of the city. These hospitals have been selected by the administration.
The HVS has been funded by USAIDS and executed by State Innovations in Family Planning Services Projects Agency (SIFPSA). 'Asha' female health activists identify women below poverty line who are given health vouchers. With the help of these vouchers they can consult gynaecologists and get pre and post-natal treatment, institutional delivery and various pathological tests free of cost.
The 10 private hospitals of Agra roped in, include Agra Hospital, Navdeep Hospital, Ram Raghu Hospital, Sarasvat Nursing Home, Kusum Gupta Nursing Home, Dr. K Tandon Nursing Hospital, Dr. Sen Nursing Home, Malhotra Nursing Home, SR Hospital and Asopa Hospital. Till now, around Rs 6 lakh has been spent on the project. In order to develop the confidence of the private sector, each selected hospital is provided with the advance payment of Rs 15,000.
"Around 80 per cent of deliveries are done at home in Agra (rural areas) and hardly any women in villages can think of pre or post-natal care. This voucher system empowers them to chose the service they want," said Dr. Parinita Bansal.
Three coupons were given to the pregnant lady which allows her to have its entire treatment free of cost at the recommended hospitals, she added. Gram Pradhan certifies the pregnant woman if she does not a BPL card holder, she asserted. At present maternal mortality and morbidity has been decreased, she added. From the beginning of the scheme I have done around 1200 deliveries under the same scheme, Bansal said.
SIFSA should start advance funding to the hospitals as they have to clear various dues. When our dues were not cleared at the time our enthusiasm will decrease, said a doctor on the condition of anonymity.

National Family Planning Survey III shows only 22 per cent of institutional deliveries take place in the state, of which 17 percent happen in rural areas. Less than 10 per cent women in rural areas receive post-natal care.

HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis-B check up kits will be provided to hospitals for patients and doctor also as they are maximally exposed to the pregnant woman. Administration should also provide these kits in the hospital for the check-ups of pregnant woman.