PHNOM PENH, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Wednesday launched a cash assistance program 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 program aimed at enhancing the pregnant prisoners' well-being and combating 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 program 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 program, the aid package is divided into three phases. In phase one, expectant mothers will get 80,000 riel (20 U.S. dollars) 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 100 dollars, twins 150 dollars, and triplets 200 dollars.
In phase three, for post-natal care, mothers will receive 20 dollars per check-up and their child's vaccination, up to 10 times, including three times for the mother's postnatal health checks and seven times for child immunizations up to the age of two. ■