PHNOM PENH: Cambodia on Wednesday (July 9) launched a cash assistance programme for pregnant prisoners and children under the age of two living with their mothers in prison.
Chea Somethy, minister of social affairs, veterans and youth rehabilitation, said the cash support programme aimed at enhancing the pregnant prisoners' well-being and combatting child malnutrition in prison.
"The program will enhance the physical and mental well-being of imprisoned mothers and their infants and address nutritional deficiencies in children who were born and raised in prison," he said at the launch event.
Women's Affairs Minister Ing Kantha Phavi said the programme truly reflected the government's attention to jailed pregnant women and children under the age of two.
She added that the government, through the Social Protection Fund, will cover the costs of health check-ups and vaccinations to improve the well-being of pregnant prisoners and children under the age of two living with their incarcerated mothers.
Under the programme, the aid package is divided into three phases. In phase one, expectant mothers will get 80,000 riel (US$20) per prenatal check-up, up to a maximum of four times.
In phase two, a one-time delivery assistance will be provided. One child delivery receives US$100, twins US$150, and triplets US$200.
In phase three, for post-natal care, mothers will receive US$20 per check-up and their child's vaccination, up to ten times, including three times for the mother's postnatal health checks and seven times for child immunisations up to the age of two. - Xinhua
