Siddha to ensure better maternal, child care Chennai : The Amma Magapperu Sanjeevi (a pack containing 11 herbal medicines for expectant mothers) announced by Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in the Assembly on Tuesday is a Siddha way to further improve the maternal and childcare in Tamil Nadu. The three medical kit, each comprising choornams (herbal powder), medicated oil and herbs to improve the immunity, ensure safe delivery and healthy progeny, will be distributed to pregnant women during ante natal, immediately after delivery and to the new born babies. These three kits would be distributed at all the government hospitals and primary health centres spread across the state. The Tampcol, which procures and distributes Siddha and Ayurveda medicines, will upscale the quantity soon. The Sanjeevi pact is a concept being promoted by the Ayush ministry for better maternal and child care in the country. Under Amma Pregnancy Sanjeevi, women will be given pomegranate and curry leave powder during the first three months of pregnancy to prevent nausea. In the next three months, pregnant women will get natural medicines like gooseberry powder etc to improve the iron content. During the last stage of pregnancy and post- pregnancy, women will be given medicinal powders to ease delivery and increase lactation. “Eleven types of medicinal powders will be given to pregnant women and based on Siddha doctors’ advice, these will be given. It will cost Rs 10 crore annually to the government,” said Ms. Jayalalithaa. Sources said the scheme will be launched immediately after a GO is passed.