KCR Kits, stipend for new moms give birth to graft

Adilabad: The state government’s financial assistance of Rs 13,000 to pregnant woman and KCR Kits under ‘Amma Odi’ scheme have not only increased the number of deliveries in government hospitals but also raised the expectation of some nurses and doctors from the new moms and their families.

Effectively, the state government’s gift for the new moms has effectively increased corruption in maternity hospitals.

Earlier, some assistants and nurses used to demand Rs 200 to Rs 500 from the family members of the new moms, but this demand has shot up to Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. Such demands have become commonplace in government hospitals in the tribal areas of the old Adilabad district.

Sanitary workers are also making demands of the new moms and their families. There have been instances of even some doctors demanding a bribe a delivery certificate.

Experts say that one has to look whether there is any change in the maternal and infant mortality rate after introduction of the ‘Amma Odi’ scheme due to the increased number of deliveries in state hospitals.

The government scheme has also added to the work of the staff in the gynaecology wards and the shortage of staff is now being acutely felt. According to officials, there is a huge difference in the staff to patient ratio in gynaecology wards.

Rajavva of Adilabad mandal, relative of new mom who gave birth at the RIMS, Adilabad said the assistants in the labour room and sanitary workers demanded Rs 1,000 saying that since the family did not spend a single paisa in hospital bills and even got Rs 13,000 assistance and the KCR Kit, they should not be stingy and give them Rs 1,000 as inam (gift).