The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to target adolescent girls between the ages of 11 and 18 for improvement of their health during the 18th Janmabhoomi programme being organised from January 2 to 11. While Health Minister Dr Kodela Sivaprasada Rao had asked the District Health officials to cover about 18 lakh adolescent girls focusing on their health and nutrition, the Women Development and Child Development Minister S Saraswathi has announced that 2003 will be observed as the “Year of the Adolescent Girls.”

Addressing the District Health Officers through video conference, Dr Rao said about 70 per cent of the adolescent girls were anaemic resulting in complications at the time of child-bearing leading to high infant mortality. During the Janmabhoomi Programme such girls will be identified and vitamin, folic acid and deworming tablets will be supplied to improve their health.

Addressing a press conference on last Friday, Women Development and Child Welfare Minister S Saraswathi said the government had decided to observe 2003 as the Year of Adolescent Girls to focus on their health, nutrition, education, social awareness and economic uplift. During the special drive to be launched after Janmabhoomi, haemoglobin tests would be conducted on all adolescent girls in the state numbering about 18 lakh. The state has also planned health camps and record the weight of the girls on a quarterly basis. Bridge courses will be launched for school drop-outs and social awareness campaigns on their legal rights will also be arranged.
An economic uplift programme would also be implemented in coordination with Mothers' Committees, Medical and Health Department, Andhra Pradesh, Women's Cooperative Finance Corporation and voluntary organisations.

The minister said during the Janmabhoomi Programme, the government would spend Rs 45.68 crore under the Girl Child Protection Scheme (GCPS) to cover nearly 65.000 children. The GCPS meant for those under below the poverty line (BPL) had been slightly modified in that a fixed amount of Rs 5,000 would be deposited in the name of the girl child below two years. The interest can be withdrawn to meet different kinds of expenditure till she attains the marriageable age of 18.

Another scheme to be taken up during Janmabhoomi is Balika Samrudhi Yojana, under which an amount of Rs 6.87 crore has been provided to cover 1.42 lakh girls. The scheme involves granting of Rs 300 to each girl child at the time of birth and Rs 300 when she is admitted in First Standard. The amount goes up progressively and she will get Rs 1,000 when she is in X standard.

Referring to the policy on combating trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation of women and children, the Minister said a Rs 52-lakh transit home would be constructed at Kukatpally under the Swadhar Scheme of the Central Government.