agu-Magu, the State government’s ambitious programme to provide free transport services to post natal mothers and new born babies, has been a major success in the district.
Since its launch last April, as many as 3,376 women and an equal number of babies have availed the benefits of the programme in Mandya.
Concerned over the increasing rate of maternal and infant mortality at rural areas during deliveries at residences, the State government had launched several schemes to attract pregnant women towards government health institutions. Nagu-Magu is one among them.
200 ambulances
Around 200 specially modified ambulances were procured under the scheme with the financial assistance of the National Health Mission (NHM).
Whilst six ambulances were handed over to the department of health and family welfare in Mandya, remaining were distributed to all taluks throughout the State.
The ambulances have safely transported 1,823 post-natal mothers and their babies from April to September this year. The vehicles have travelled 71,424 km during the same period, says H.P. Manchegowda, District Health Officer (DHO).
As many as 1,553 post-natal mothers with their babies had availed the service of the scheme during the last financial year.
“Currently, six taluks have Nagu-Magu ambulances in Mandya district. Shortly, we will provide an ambulance to Srirangapatna taluk,” he told The Hindu .
The department is also taking care of babies at special new care units (SNCU) and new born stabilisation unit (NBSU) in the district under the scheme. The number of admissions reported at these units in the district was 973 from April 2015 to September 2015.
Facilities
The scheme is a boon to the people of economically weaker section. The services of nurse, medical treatment, health-care kit will also be provided to the beneficiaries. The facilities are provided only to those residing in rural areas and delivered at government hospitals.
Incidents of deaths of post natal mothers or their babies, while returning from hospitals, were reported often before the launch of the Nagu-Magu.
No such incidents occured since April 2014, a taluk health officer (THO) said.
While the Nagu-Magu facility is limited to only ‘drop-back’ women and kids, pregnant women can avail the service of 108 to reach the hospitals during emergencies, the DHO said.
Headline: A big hit
Taluk — Ambulances stationed at — Beneficiaries
Mandya- MIMS hospital- 719
Maddur- Government Hospital- 565
Malavalli - Government Hospital- 681
Pandavapura - Government Hospital - 307
K.R. Pet - Government Hospital - 416
Nagamangala - Government Hospital - 678
Source: Department of Health and Family Welfare, Mandya
Currently, six taluks in Mandya district have Nagu-Magu ambulances. Shortly,
we will provide an ambulance
to Srirangapatna taluk
