UP Achieves Major Milestone in Maternal and Newborn Health, 16 Districts Report 100% Institutional Deliveries
The Uttar Pradesh government has recorded a major achievement in maternal and newborn healthcare, with 16 districts reporting 100% institutional deliveries over the past three months. According to official data, no home or non-institutional deliveries were recorded in these districts between April and June.
The development is being seen as a significant step towards improving maternal and child healthcare under the Yogi Adityanath government. Officials attribute the success to better access to healthcare facilities, increased public awareness, and the dedicated efforts of frontline health workers promoting safe deliveries.
100% Institutional Deliveries in 16 Districts
National Health Mission (NHM) Mission Director Dr. Pinky Jowel said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has prioritised providing quality maternal healthcare services to every pregnant woman in the state.
To achieve this, obstetric care has been strengthened across district women's hospitals, community health centres (CHCs), and primary health centres (PHCs). The government has also improved the availability of trained medical staff, essential medicines, modern equipment, and referral services to ensure safer childbirth.
Lower Maternal and Infant Mortality a Key Goal
Health officials believe that sustaining high institutional delivery rates will further help reduce the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) in Uttar Pradesh.
According to the Health Management Information System (HMIS), the 16 districts that reported zero non-institutional deliveries between April and June are - Gorakhpur, Deoria, Azamgarh, Varanasi, Amethi, Ayodhya, Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Ghazipur, Shamli, Ghaziabad, Hathras, Etawah, Mahoba, and Kaushambi.
Frontline Health Workers Played Crucial Role
Joint Director Dr. Shalu Gupta said the achievement is the result of years of sustained efforts to encourage institutional deliveries across the state.
Key initiatives included:
Key initiatives included:
- Timely registration of pregnant women
- Regular antenatal check-ups
- Identification and monitoring of high-risk pregnancies
- Door-to-door counselling by ASHA workers
- Easy access to ambulance services
- Implementation of maternity welfare and maternal safety schemes
These measures have encouraged more women to opt for hospital deliveries instead of home births.
Safer Deliveries Save Lives
Senior gynaecologist Dr. Chandravati said institutional deliveries remain the most effective way to reduce maternal and newborn deaths.
She noted that the presence of trained doctors, staff nurses, emergency obstetric care, immediate newborn support, blood availability, and timely referrals significantly improve survival chances for both mothers and babies, especially during complicated pregnancies.
She noted that the presence of trained doctors, staff nurses, emergency obstetric care, immediate newborn support, blood availability, and timely referrals significantly improve survival chances for both mothers and babies, especially during complicated pregnancies.
Community Awareness Key to Success
Health department officials said the achievement reflects not only improved healthcare infrastructure but also growing awareness among communities.
ASHA workers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), and Anganwadi workers maintained regular contact with pregnant women, counselled families before the expected delivery date, and ensured timely transportation to health facilities, playing a vital role in achieving the milestone.
ASHA workers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), and Anganwadi workers maintained regular contact with pregnant women, counselled families before the expected delivery date, and ensured timely transportation to health facilities, playing a vital role in achieving the milestone.
The Uttar Pradesh government hopes to build on this progress and further strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare across the state in the coming years.
