Government should insure children to ensure a better future

Children are at the greatest risk to survive. Therefore, insuring their health and life is the responsibility of responsible governments. 

As per the 2011 Census, the population of Tamil Nadu is 7.21 crore with decadal growth rate of 15.6 per cent. Tamil Nadu is the seventh most populous state in India. It accounts for 6 per cent of the country’s total population. The demographic scenario of Tamil Nadu is an interesting one. 

Every year, 10.8 lakh births are occurring in the state, of which 22,700 babies die before their first birth day. In fact, 25 per cent of the survived children die before reaching the fifth year of life. The absolute number is 26,700. So, we are losing 50,000 children every year in Tamil Nadu. 

In addition to the mortality, they also now face other risks of child abuse and trafficking. These two have, in fact, increased manifold and the sexually abused children live in an emotionally shattered condition. There is another group of children, the ones who have lost their parents and live in desperate conditions. Among all of them, the condition of children who have lost their mother in the maternal mortality category is the most pathetic. 

Now, there are incidents of Adverse Events Followed by Immunisation (AEFI), which is rarest of the rare events, but it causes great concern because all the children are precious since our Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is 1.7, which is the replacement level of the population. There is both refusal and rejection of Measles Rubella (MR) vaccination in the urban areas of Tamil Nadu for various reasons. 

"However, any death due to vaccination is not something that can be compromised. 

So far, none of the organisations working for child rights, including NGOs, WHO, UNICEF, and state and central governments have discussed this issue and looked at possible solutions. This is where states like Tamil Nadu can take a lead by formulating a scheme under  the ‘Kuzhanthaigal  Paathugaappu Thittam’. The funds could be mobilised easily under ‘National Health Mission’. The Tamil Nadu government gives Rs 2 lakh for a mother who dies following sterilisation.  

However, nothing is given to families whose children die due to AEFI or pass away from ‘unnatural’ causes. Children who are lost and untraceable  due to trafficking or those children who are orphaned — especially those who have lost their mothers — needs  insurance coverage. A huge amount of money lies with the insurance companies either unclaimed or as profit. Even under the medical insurance school, the childhood illnesses are not adequately covered. 

People who get awards are silent on these issues of the voiceless. Insurance companies would be receptive to the idea. It only needs a little bit of streamlining of the process and a willingness on the part of officials to ensure our children are protected. 

— The writer is former Director of Public Health, Tamil Nadu and President IPHA, TN Branch