The state government has commenced three new health programmes from Tuesday on a pilot basis at Bhadrachalam and Khammam. The projects include Sishu Sanjeevani (special care for newborn babies) to cut down on infant mortality rate; Akshya project (nutrition rehabilitation centres for thousands of children with malnutrition); and Ammakulana (support for mothers) a screening programme for pregnant mothers.

Elaborating on project funded by National Rural Health Mission, which was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on Tuesday, Praveen Prakash, commissioner of health and family welfare said, “Under the Sishu Sanjeevani project, 44 special care units for newborns will be flagged off in Teaching, Area and District Hospitals.