THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:The audit found 37 per cent of 24.59 lakh pregnant women who registered for antenatal care during 2012-17 were not tested for HIV. Guidelines issued by the Centre in 2013 include confidential HIV screening of pregnant women as a major component of antenatal care check-ups. Furthermore, audit found that over 12 per cent of the 24.59 lakh women did not receive iron and folic acid tablets. There was also a shortfall in the percentage of women who received tetanus toxoid shots.
The state government also failed to do its bit when it came to shelling out money for the programme. Audit further found the state government’s share fell short by Rs 323 crore during 2012-17. Against a release of Rs 2,144.12 crore by the Centre, the state should have contributed Rs 915.20 crore.
However, the state released only Rs 591.98 crore, resulting in a shortfall of Rs 323.22 crore. “It was noticed that even though GoK contribution was less to the extent of Rs 322.22 crore during 2012-17, GoK reported its contribution to GoI as Rs 901.74 crore,’’ the audit noted.