Tamil Nadu Eyes Birth Incentives as Fertility Rate Drops

Chennai: Expressing concern over Tamil Nadu's declining TFR, Health Minister K G Arunraj on Sunday indicated the state government could consider incentivising couples to have more children to address the challenges of an ageing population.

Addressing the mid-year workshop of the Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society of South India, Arunraj said the state's Total Fertility Rate had fallen below 1.4, well below the replacement level of 2.1.

With nearly 16 per cent of the state's population aged above 60, he described the demographic shift as a major public health challenge.

The minister said Tamil Nadu could explore policies similar to those in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, where incentives are reportedly offered to couples for having a third child, in view of the declining fertility rate and its long-term demographic implications.

"We were told that in places like Andhra Pradesh, there are government schemes providing incentives for couples to have a third child. Therefore, in the future, there could definitely be such things (here) too," he said.

While 99 per cent of childbirths in the state take place in hospitals, the share of deliveries in government facilities has steadily declined from 65.8 per cent in 2017-18 to 51 per cent currently.

Arunraj attributed the decline to private medical colleges offering free maternity care and the extension of the Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme to private hospitals.

To ease the financial burden on poor and middle-class families seeking private healthcare, the government recently launched the 'Thaai Maaman Thangam' scheme, he said.

The health department will also conduct a detailed study to ascertain the reasons for the decline in deliveries at government hospitals despite the availability of quality care through Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care centres.

On medical education, Arunraj criticised the previous administration for allowing three private medical colleges to acquire 'Deemed University' status, alleging that the move compromised social justice and affected the 7.5 per cent quota for government school students.

He said the current government acted swiftly to meet the National Medical Commission's requirements and secured 150 additional seats across three government medical colleges this year.

The state's medical counselling schedule and merit list will be published on August 10, he added.

Arunraj warned of strict action against private medical colleges illegally collecting fee beyond the stipulated period, saying a newly constituted committee was investigating complaints on the matter.

Responding to reports of pregnant women facing long queues at outpatient registration counters, the minister clarified that an Aadhaar card is not mandatory and no government hospital can deny treatment for its absence.

He cited a scheme that lets patients generate an outpatient receipt from home via smartphone.

On the political front, Arunraj dismissed opposition allegations that the ruling government was merely rebranding schemes introduced by previous administrations, asserting that policy continuity was essential for good governance.

He accused the opposition of compromising its positions on social justice and state rights by aligning with the BJP to protect its leaders from past corruption allegations.

Reiterating the state's position on the Cauvery water dispute, Arunraj said the government and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay would not succumb to pressure from the Centre and would remain united in protecting Tamil Nadu's federal rights in opposition to Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam project.