The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to provide free medical treatment to victims of domestic violence under the Usha Kiran scheme, an official said on June 3, 2009.

"Victims of domestic violence will be provided free medical treatment at government-run hospitals and health centres. The government has issued the directive under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005,” an official of the Woman and Child Development Department said.

This declaration by the Madhya Pradesh government comes a year after the launch of the Usha Kiran Scheme by President Pratibha Patil on 29 June, 2008. The scheme aims to help women and children and protect them against all kinds of tortures including physical, verbal, sexual, emotional and economic.

Providing medical aid is sure to have positive benifits for domestic violence victims in the state. By ensuring proper outreach of the aid, the goverment aims to provide immediate redressal to the vicitms even in remote areas. As the official firther adds, “The deans of medical colleges, chief medical and health officers and civil surgeons have all been directed to ensure that the facility is provided to all women in need."

He also says that,"Victimised women are given temporary shelter, legal aid, medical treatment, police help, 24 hours help line, necessary training, rehabilitation and information."

Though there are mechanisms, by way of Law, in place to help survivors and complainants of domestic violence, infrastructure and social will is often insufficient to allow for apt implementation of those mechanisms. This is certainly a step towards improving the infrastructure that ensures women get the best help and aid possible. This is a commendable initiative on the part of the state government and is sure to prove to be of much help for the victims of domestic violence.

News Source: http://www.latestnewsonline.net/india/free-medical-aid-for-domestic-violence-victims-in-madhya-pradesh/13514.html
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