Andhra Pradesh Government Revives NTR Baby Kit Scheme

The coalition government in Andhra Pradesh is reintroducing a previously implemented welfare scheme aimed at safeguarding the health of newborns and their mothers in government hospitals. The government has issued orders and sanctioned funds to restart the distribution of NTR Baby Kits to women who give birth in public healthcare institutions.

According to available information, the scheme is expected to commence from next month across government hospitals. Thousands of deliveries take place annually in Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Urban PHCs (UPHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and district hospitals throughout the state. Officials stated that the revival of the NTR Baby Kit initiative will positively impact newborn health outcomes.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government first launched the NTR Baby Kit scheme in July 2016. However, in 2019, the succeeding YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government renamed the scheme as the Dr. YSR Baby Kit. After continuing it for a year, the government eventually discontinued the scheme. As a result, over the past four years, lakhs of women delivering in government hospitals were unable to benefit from it.

With the objective of increasing the number of institutional deliveries in public hospitals, the current government is reviving the original version of the scheme. This decision has been widely welcomed across the state.

Each NTR Baby Kit is valued at ₹1,410 and contains 11 essential items. These include a mosquito-netted baby bed, baby clothes, baby soap, powder, baby oil, a toy, napkins, towels, a waterproof cot sheet, baby shampoo, and a hand sanitizing liquid for mothers. Government officials confirmed the valuation and stated that these kits are expected to improve maternal and infant care in public healthcare facilities.

Speaking on the initiative, Superintendent Srinivasa Reddy said, “This scheme will increase the number of institutional deliveries in government hospitals.”