Chennai, August 3(BPNS)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin will launch an initiative of the state government, taking health care to the doorsteps of people,” Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam”.

Chief Minister will inaugurate the programme at Smanapalli in Krishnagiri district on Thursday, according to the state health Minister, Ma Subramanian while speaking to reporters at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) during the World Breast Feeding week Celebrations.

The minister said that for the first time medical services are reaching the doorsteps of the people through this scheme. Ma Subramanian said,” It is to be noted that for the first time we are not only providing the required medications at the doorsteps of people but also taking medical services to their homes.”

The minister also said that during the launch of the programme, Chief Minister would take a detailed look at the distribution of medications being served at the residences of people diagnosed with hypertension and diabetics and those requiring physiotherapy.

A breastfeeding room was opened at the RGGGH as part of the World Breast Feeding week celebrations and the minister said that this was for the first time a breastfeeding room was opened at a general hospital other than a maternity hospital.

The minister also said that breastfeeding rooms will be opened at all government medical college hospitals and district hospitals.

Tamil Nadu health minister also said that breast milk banks are already functioning in 24 places in the state including 17 government medical college hospitals and 7 district hospitals.

Ma Subramanian while speaking to BPNS said, “This year 12 more breastfeeding milk banks will be opened in the state in seven government medical college hospitals and five district hospitals.”

The minister also said that the Union government will contribute in the funding of setting up of breastfeeding milk banks which require 12 lakh rupees per milk bank.