Manipur high court passes landmark order for full implementation of JSSK scheme in Manipur
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This petition noted that under Janani-Sishu Suraksha Karyakram (JJSK), both the pregnant women and also the women who deliver child as well as others covered under the scheme need not to bear expenses for diagnostics, medication, transportation etc. The central government had come up with JJSK to reduce maternal and infant mortality which was a goal of Reproductive and Child Health Programme under the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM).
The said scheme envisages free and cashless services to pregnant women including normal deliveries and caesarean operations and also treatment of sick new born (up to 30 days after birth) in all Government health institutions across the State/Union Territory. Under the said scheme following are the free entitlement for pregnant women- (i) Free delivery (ii) Free caesarean section (iii) Free drugs and consumables (iv) Free diagnostics (Blood, Urine tests and Ultrasonography etc.) (v) Free diet during stay (up to 3 days for normal delivery and 7 days for caesarean section) (vi) Free provision of blood (vii) Free transport from home to health institution, between health institutions in case of referral and drop back home.
These expenses are supposed to be borne entirely by the state government, however, it put a cap over it by limiting the expenses to be borne by it, which the petition argued was in breach of the central government guidelines.
In response, the court ruled that the government cap for limiting the expenses was illegal and arbitrary, and directed that it be set aside. It disposed of the petition by directing the state to ensure free entitlements, to the pregnant women and newborns under the JJSK scheme.