The Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme (MRMBS) for Pregnant Women in Tamil Nadu aims to enhance the support for expectant mothers, particularly from underprivileged backgrounds. The scheme offers financial assistance, increasing it from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 18,000, and introduces the Amma Maternity Nutrition kit. This initiative seeks to decrease the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in the state, addressing maternal and child health comprehensively.
Installment Structure of Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme
The installment structure of the scheme involves various benefits, with specific conditions applied:
- 1st Installment: Rs. 2,000 for antenatal registration before 12 weeks.
- Kind Benefit: Rs. 2,000 upon completing the third month.
- 2nd Installment: Rs. 2,000 after 4 months.
- Kind Benefit (Second Nutrition Kit): Rs. 2,000.
- 3rd Installment: Rs. 4,000 after delivery.
- 4th Installment: Rs. 4,000 after completing specified vaccine doses.
- 5th Installment: Rs. 2,000 after Measles Rubella vaccination.
The total financial assistance provided through these installments amounts to Rs. 18,000.
The Amma Maternity Nutrition Kit Scheme includes several items such as Pregnant Mother’s Health Mix Powder, IFA Syrup, Deseeded Date Fruit, Food Grade Plastic Cup, Plastic Basket with Two handles, Albendazole De-worming Tablet, Aavin Ghee, and Cotton Towel, all tailored to promote maternal and infant health.
Items included in Amma Maternity Nutrition Kit Scheme are :
| Products | Units |
| Pregnant Mother’s Health Mix Powder | 2*500 gms |
| IFA Syrup (Iron Syrup 200 ml) | 3*200 ml bottle |
| Deseeded Date Fruit | 2*500 gms |
| Food Grade Plastic Cup | 1 No. |
| Plastic Basket with Two handles | 1 No. |
| Albendazole De-worming Tablet | 1 No. |
| Aavin Ghee 500 ml (Non-tendered Product) | 1 No. |
| Cotton Towel | 1 No. |
Eligibility Criteria for Dr. Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme
- Age Criteria: Pregnant mothers must be at least 19 years old or above.
- Installments Boundary: Mothers meeting the eligibility criteria will receive all five installments for up to two deliveries only.
- HOB and Migrant Mothers: Homeless (HOB) and migrant mothers will receive the 1st and 5th installments under specific predefined conditions.
- Economic Certification: Certification of economic status in the Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) system by either the Village Health Nurse (VHN) or the Urban Health Nurse (UHN) is mandatory.
- Private Medical College Deliveries: Mothers giving birth at Private Medical Colleges approved under the Dr. Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme are eligible, provided the medical institution offers free delivery services, including caesarean deliveries.
- Srilankan Refugees: Pregnant women who are Srilankan refugees are entitled to scheme benefits.
- Farmers Social Security Scheme: Pregnant women actively enrolled in the Farmers Social Security Scheme are qualified for cash assistance.
- Number of Deliveries: The scheme covers maternity assistance for a maximum of two deliveries.
- Special Considerations for HOB Mothers: Homeless (HOB) mothers have specific eligibility conditions. They can receive the first and fifth installments along with two Nutrition kits, contingent on specific requirements.
- Eligibility for Migrant Mothers: Migrant mothers engaged in occupations such as brick kilns, quarries, road works, construction sites, and other infrastructure development projects are eligible for the scheme.
- Migrant Workers from Other States: Migrant workers from other states are eligible for the 1st and 5th installments as well as Nutrition kits, subject to predefined conditions.
In summary, the eligibility criteria encompass various factors such as age, economic status certification, special provisions for certain categories of mothers (HOB, migrant, Srilankan refugees), membership in the Farmers Social Security Scheme, private medical college deliveries, and the maximum number of deliveries covered by the scheme. These criteria ensure that the benefits of the Dr. Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme are distributed to those who meet specific conditions, promoting maternal and child health within Tamil Nadu.
How to do Registration for Dr. Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme
To avail the benefits of the Amma Maternity Nutrition Kit Scheme, pregnant women need to register before the 12th week of pregnancy.
As the kit falls under the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity scheme, pregnant women should register for this scheme as well to receive the nutrition kit.
The registration process can be completed through Urban Health Nurses (UHN) or Village Health Nurses (VHN).
Links are as below :
Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme (MRMBS) PDF – https://picme.tn.gov.in/picme_public/mrmbs.pdf
Amendment in Items in Amma Maternity Nutrition Kit Scheme: https://cms.tn.gov.in/sites/default/files/go/hfw_e_70_2019.pdf
Source / Reference Link: https://krishnagiri.nic.in/scheme/dr-muthulakshmi-maternity-benefit-scheme/
The primary goal of the Tamil Nadu Dr. Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme is to ensure that pregnant and nursing women receive adequate nutrition, coupled with financial support to offset any potential income loss they might experience during their pregnancy.
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