Title: Iran Launches Enhanced Support Program for Vulnerable Pregnant and Nursing Mothers
In a significant step to bolster family and maternal health, Iran has initiated a specialized support program for vulnerable pregnant and nursing mothers in four provinces. The program, a collaborative effort between the State Welfare Organization of Iran and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), targets women under the welfare organization’s care who face particularly challenging circumstances.
A Targeted Initiative for Maternal Well-being
Announced by Maryam Khak-e Rangin, head of the Office for Family and Women’s Affairs at the State Welfare Organization, the program is designed to provide comprehensive support to mothers classified as “head-of-household.” This includes women whose husbands are disabled, addicted, or are currently performing mandatory military service.
“The implementation of this plan in the provinces of Tehran, Alborz, Golestan, and Isfhan includes a monthly credit and a five-million Toman nutritional aid for these mothers,” Khak-e Rangin stated. “Furthermore, matters related to their pregnancy, nutrition, treatment, and medication will be closely monitored.”
Comprehensive Care for Critical Needs
The core objective of the initiative is to address the vital needs of mothers, encompassing health requirements, reproductive health, food security, and coverage of medical costs. Officials emphasize that this holistic approach is expected to contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality and complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
To ensure the effectiveness of the aid, social workers involved in the program are receiving specialized training. “These social workers will follow up to ensure that the mothers definitely spend the money on treatment costs, medication, vitamins, and nutrition during breastfeeding,” Khak-e Rangin added.
Expanding Upon a National Framework
This new program builds upon a long-standing national scheme that has been supporting the nutrition of pregnant and nursing mothers across all 31 provinces for years. The key distinction of the joint initiative with the UNFP is its expanded scope, which now integrates critical medical services alongside nutritional support.
Khak-e Rangin also highlighted that the Welfare Organization’s support for mothers is a major undertaking by the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare, executed with careful consideration of household income levels. She noted that a proposed increase to the five-million Toman aid is contingent upon the allocation of necessary funds.
Parallel Healthcare Achievements in Gilan Province
In a related development showcasing Iran’s focus on reproductive health, the Health Insurance Organization of Gilan province reported a major investment in treating infertility. Dr. Mahmoud Atef Rad, the Managing Director of the province’s Health Insurance, announced that 37 billion Tomans have been allocated for the treatment of over 4,258 insured infertile couples in the region.
These couples have benefited from a range of medical services, including relevant tests, sonography, radiology, and medication. Dr. Atef Rad further detailed that the Health Insurance in Gilan provides coverage for approximately 1.3 million people, with about 1.1 million, including villagers, low-income urban households, and beneficiaries of the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee, receiving services free of charge. The organization also provides coverage for 129 specific and hard-to-treat diseases, with over 63,000 patients registered in the system.