Minister Renuka Chawdhury Lunches Plan to Reduce Infant Mortality

(August 22, 2008) Union minister Renuka Chowdhury on Thursday launched a plan to reduce infant mortality and maternal mortality across India by improving medical care and nutrition. The joint plan of the government and UNICEF, which the Minister for Women and Child Development launched, will be implemented over a period of five years, 2008-2012. The program aims to reduce infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate significantly within five years and improve other indices related with development of children. Chowdhury said that the government is committed to protect the rights of children, strive for the elimination of child labour and ensure facilities for schooling and extend special care to the girl child. The total outlay for the Ministry of Women and Child Development has been increased by 60% from 2006-07 to 2008-09. UNICEF the country representative Marin Kulshof said UNICEF would spend about $700 million over these five years in India under the program. The focus will be in the seven states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. The plan focuses on improving the nutrition status of the mother and child, availability of clean and safe water, protection of children from violence, exploitation and child labour and also seeks to ensure children going to school.