About Us
Health Care, Human Services & Family Welfare Department has been making constant and concerted efforts to formulate & implement schemes (State & Central) to ensure adequate health care services to the people of the State in line with policy directives of the State Govt. issued from time to time and also in line with National Health Policy.
UNDERSTANDING SIKKIM
Under a steady and able government, our state of Sikkim has witnessed tremendous progress in areas of industry, commerce and economics. Yet, the vision of our leadership is not confined to matters of mere economic prosperity. It is driven even more profoundly by ideas that have the welfare of the people at its very core.
Understanding this immense role of public health facilities in ensuring the welfare of the people, the State Government has over the years established a total of 178 public health facilities in the 4 districts (which include 147 PHSCs, 24 PHCs, 2 CHCs, 4 District Hospitals and 1 State Referral Hospital). These public health facilities cater to the healthcare needs of more than 90% of the population of Sikkim.
In addition to this, the State Government has also introduced and implemented numerous healthcare schemes and projects for the benefit of the people of the state.
Numerous studies conducted across the world show that women belonging to economically weaker sections of society are most vulnerable during pregnancy and the period immediately after child-birth. Further findings also seem to suggest greater maternal and infant mortality rates amongst these new mothers and their new-born.
The “Proud Mother” Scheme seeks to eradicate this issue from the State through a multi-faceted approach. It is a scheme that not only empowers women but, also serves to protect the health and well-being of our future generations.
The “Proud Mother” Scheme, has been specially designed after merging two previously existing initiatives; i) the Mukhya Mantri Sishu Suraksha Yojana Avam Sutkeri Sahayog Yojana, and ii) the Proud Mother’s Scheme.
The scheme seeks to ensure that every pregnant woman (during her first and second delivery) and her newborn (up to the age of six years) receive monetary assistance so that they can avail of better healthcare facilities and greater support during and after delivery.
However, the scope of the scheme is not merely limited to providing monetary assistance but, also to facilitate and encourage pregnant mothers to choose institutional delivery. It also seeks to ensure birth registration of the newborn along with complete immunization. The overall aim of the scheme is to greatly reduce maternal deaths and the Infant Mortality Rate prevailing in the state. Furthermore, in the long term, the scheme also seeks to improve the Total Fertility Rate as well as Child Sex Ratio and the overall health status of all women and children in the state.
Effective date:
The Mukhya Mantri Sishu Suraksha Yojana Avam Sutkeri Sahayog Yojana was initiated by the state government in 2011. This was followed by the launch of the Proud Mother’s Scheme in 2017. Hence, all pregnant women and newborn fulfilling the eligibility criteria on or after 1st April, 2017 are eligible for the benefits granted under this scheme.
- To improve Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
- To improve overall nutritional status of mother and the newborn.
- To reduce IMR & MMR
- To improve Child Sex ratio
For Mother
- One time grant at the time of first live birth - Rs 7000/-
- One time grant at the time of second live birth - Rs 10,000/
For Child
- Monthly incentive of Rs 500/- to the newborn till she/he attains 6 years of age (72 months)
Sikkim has made substantial progress in improving service provisions to pregnant women and children under the RCH II programme. This progress is clearly illustrated in the State health indicators table provided below:
| Indicator | NFHS 2 1998 - 1999 |
NFHS 3 1998 - 1999 |
NFHS 4 1998 - 1999 |
State Target | All India |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Fertility Rate | 2.75 | 2.02 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 2.2 |
| IMR/1000LB | 44 | 34 | 29 | 14 | 32 (SRS 2016) |
| MMR* | - | - | - | - | 130 (SRS 2014-2016) |
| 4 ANC / 3 ANC (%) | 47.4 | 56.2 | 74.7 | 100 | 51.2 (NFHS 4) |
| Anaemia among Pregnant Women (%) | 61.1 | 62.1 | 23.6 | <20 | 50.3 (NFHS 4) |
| Anaemia among children aged between 6-59 months (%) | 76.5 | 58.1 | 55.1 | <50 | 58.5 (NFHS 4) |
| Complete Immunization (%) | 47.4 | 69.6 | 83.0 | 95 | 62.0 (NFHS 4) |
| Child Sex Ratio | - | 984 | 809 957 (Census 2011) |
970 | 914 (Census 2011) |
Nutritional status of children (under 5 years)
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The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 1.2 (NFHS IV) findings against the National target of 2.0 is one of the significant achievements and showcases the progress made in moving towards replacement rate of population growth under the Family Planning Programme.
However declining TFR is a phenomenon of demographic transition and a very low level will give rise to problems in population balance. Hence, it is important to maintain TFR at 2.0 levels which is considered to be the replacement level. Therefore it is advisory to encourage the couples to have a minimum of two children each. One of the aims of MAYA is to improve and maintain TFR at 2.0 and also improve Child Sex Ratio.