The launch event of the Thaimaman Gold Ring Scheme, in which Chief Minister Vijay is scheduled to participate on September 28, has been shifted from Usilampatti Government Hospital to Madurai Government Hospital, officials said.
A team of officials had recently inspected the Usilampatti hospital as preparations were under way. As part of the initial arrangements, 1,106 gold rings (one gram each) were handed over to the Usilampatti hospital authorities. The venue has now been changed to Madurai.
In Madurai district, Madurai, Usilampatti, Melur and Thirumangalam Government Hospitals will function as distribution centres for the scheme, with secure locker facilities arranged at these locations. Gold rings will continue to be provided to babies born from June 22 this year at nearby primary health centres, sub-centres and urban health centres linked to these hospitals.
Madurai Government Hospital records around 1,000 to 1,200 deliveries every month, and 4,150 rings have been handed over there in the first phase. The ring is kept inside an ATM-card-style holder bearing the Chief Minister’s image. The Chief Minister is expected to distribute rings to 50 babies—including those born on September 27 and earlier—at the hospital auditorium or first-aid section, and later to 20 postnatal mothers brought to the ground floor from the maternity ward.
Collector Nishanth Krishna, Corporation Commissioner Gaurav Kumar and hospital Dean Arul Sundareskumar inspected the arrangements to assess readiness. After a Chennai-based officials’ team visits the site on September 22, the exact distribution area and timing are expected to be finalised.
