RCC launches red cards for cost-free health service

RAJSHAHI, June 29 (BSS): Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has launched red card distribution activities for providing cost-free primary health services to the poor and distressed people.
Nizam-Ul Azim, acting mayor of RCC, introduced the scheme formally by giving cards to some of the beneficiaries in a ceremony held at the city bhaban conference hall here Monday.
In the preliminary stage, 10,646 poor and distressed families will get the cards under Urban Primary Healthcare Services Delivery Project to be executed by Resource Integration Center.
With Chief Executive Officer Ajahar Ali in the chair, Secretary Syeda Zebin Nissa Sultana, Ward Councilor Mustaque Hossain Ratan and Project Manager Kaiser Parvej Ashrafi spoke on the occasion.
Addressing the meeting Nizam-Ul Azim stressed the need for improving the pro-poor maternal and child healthcare services for substantial and sustainable reduction in maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.
He said importance should be given on bringing all the pregnant mothers under the services of antenatal care, safe delivery and postnatal services for the sake of ensuring safe delivery and maternal and infant health.
The acting mayor said there are 14 healthcare centres and two maternal clinics in the city at present providing maternal and child healthcare services.
The city corporation has taken the initiative of providing red cards among poor and distressed families for extending maternal and child healthcare services free of cost, he added.