Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa launches 'Amma baby care Kit' scheme

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has launched the ' Amma Baby Care Kit' scheme, wherein the government will provide accessories meant for the newborn and its mother.

Jayalalithaa launched the scheme yesterday by giving away the kit to five mothers in a symbolic gesture at the state Secretariat, an official release said here today.

Jayalalithaa had made an announcement in the Assembly about the scheme in August 2014.

The kit will contain a towel, bed, dress, mosquito net, napkin, 100 ml oil, 60 ml shampoo, a soap with a box, a nail-clipper and doll for the child besides hand sanitiser.

The kit will also contain a locally made medicine for the mother besides a box to store essentials meant for the newborn, the release said, adding, the kit will have 16 materials whose value was Rs 1000.

In the current year, a sum of Rs 67 crore has been allotted for this purpose, wherein the baby care kit will be provided to newborns in government hospitals, the release said.

Jayalalithaa is popularly addressed as 'Amma' (Mother) by her supporters.