Monetary help for pregnant women, Rakhine State given high priority

April 26, 2017

The Union government announced that it will further expand care for its people by providing monetary assistance to pregnant women, with the people of Rakhine State one of the first states to receive this money.

The department of social welfare has previously implemented projects for the protection of children, the protection of women, the disabled and the aged.

“The State, this year, will perform the tasks of giving monetary subsidies to expectant mothers from the budget of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement (SWRR), starting in early June, with Rakhine State to be categorised as the 2nd priority area (with Chin State also receiving subsidies early),” said U Ne Win, permanent secretary of the SWRR ministry at a meeting clarifying the tasks to be done linking Union Ministries, region and state cabinets and rules and regulations, held at a meeting room in the Office of Rakhine State government on Tuesday.

“In the present budget year, it has been arranged to support expectant mothers and their newly born babies up to the age of two years with Ks15,000 per month. The programme will be launched starting in Chin State, as of next June, with Rakhine State designated as the second area to receive the funding. Statistics and data will be collected in the third week of May. Following this, expecting mothers will be supported with money starting from June every quarter.”

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement will increase the giving of subsidies more than ever and expand new projects. For now, the department of social welfare has been implementing 10 projects such as child protection, protection of women, the disabled and the aged, drugs and social protection.

Presently, those above 90 years of age will be subsidised starting in June. Those who turn 90 by the end of March 2017 will be eligible this year. The particulars, including facts and figures, has been given to respective districts and townships in regions and states. The aged in question are required to attach passport photos, national registration cards (original), and form 66 (D) of household registration certificates. Without these documents, recommendation letters need to be collected from ward or village tract administrators and two respectable town-elders at the first stage and then these must be submitted to the township administrator’s office, and then to the offices of respective regions and states.

At the third stage, particular documents must be delivered to headquarters in Nay Pyi Taw. At the fourth and final stage, lists sent after approving the 90-year-old people have to be checked and support will be given. On 8-9 May, heads of the social welfare department of regions and states will conduct training about the process, according to the ministry of social welfare, rescue and resettlement.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar