In a significant move to ease administrative burdens for new parents, the Ganjam district administration in Odisha has launched a new initiative. This program ensures that mothers who deliver their babies in government healthcare facilities receive the birth certificates of their newborns on the very day they are discharged from the hospital.
Pilot Project Kicks Off in Key Hospitals
The initiative has been introduced on a pilot basis across all sub-divisional hospitals and community health centres (CHCs) in the district. Ganjam collector Keerthi Vasan V stated that the scheme will be gradually expanded to include other major hospitals, such as the MKCG Medical College and Hospital and the district headquarters hospital.
Officials report that the program is already active. Sukant Kumar Nayak, the chief district medical and family welfare officer, confirmed that sub-divisional hospitals in Hinjili and Chhatrapur, along with the Patrapur CHC, have successfully handed over the first birth certificates to mothers upon their discharge.
How the New Process Works
The new system is designed for simplicity and speed. Parents are required to sign an application form after deciding on a name for their baby. Once this is done, the birth certificate is prepared and handed over on the discharge day. This marks a stark contrast to the old procedure, where parents had to apply for the certificate days or even weeks after the birth, often facing delays due to record verification.
A recent example highlights the initiative's success. Sonali Roula, who gave birth to a daughter at the Hinjili SDH on a Tuesday, was discharged on Thursday with her child's birth certificate already in hand. Srikant Sahu, the superintendent of the SDH, noted that they have issued two such certificates within the past week under the new scheme.
Addressing Cultural Considerations
The administration is also thoughtfully navigating cultural traditions. In many families, it is customary to name a newborn only 21 or 30 days after birth. To reconcile this practice with the new instant certificate system, officials are encouraging parents to use their short hospital stay to consult with relatives and finalize a name within a couple of days. Chief district medical officer Sukant Kumar Nayak emphasized this approach, urging parents to decide on a name to avail of the immediate certificate benefit.
This proactive step by the Ganjam administration is poised to save significant time and effort for countless families, ensuring a crucial document is secured right at the start of a child's life.
