30 June 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : The Centre has unveiled a series of new maternal and child health initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare services for pregnant women, newborns and children across the country. The measures, announced by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, seek to improve maternal healthcare, reduce infant mortality and expand access to quality medical services through better infrastructure, technology and community-based interventions.
The initiatives are part of the government’s broader effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to maternal and child health while ensuring that quality healthcare reaches every section of society, particularly those in rural and underserved areas. Health officials said the programmes will focus on early detection of high-risk pregnancies, improved nutrition, enhanced immunisation coverage and better neonatal care.
One of the major highlights of the new package is the strengthening of antenatal and postnatal care services. Pregnant women will receive more comprehensive health screenings, regular medical check-ups and counselling on nutrition, breastfeeding and maternal well-being. Healthcare workers will also identify high-risk pregnancies at an early stage to ensure timely referral and specialised treatment.
The government has also announced measures to improve institutional deliveries by enhancing facilities at public health centres and district hospitals. Additional investments will be made to upgrade labour rooms, operation theatres and newborn care units to provide safer delivery services and reduce maternal and neonatal complications.
Nutrition remains a central pillar of the new initiatives. The programme aims to combat anaemia among pregnant women and adolescent girls through expanded screening, iron and folic acid supplementation and nutritional counselling. Special emphasis will also be placed on promoting balanced diets, exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months and complementary feeding practices for infants.
To strengthen newborn healthcare, the Centre plans to expand Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), Newborn Stabilisation Units (NBSUs) and Kangaroo Mother Care services in healthcare facilities across the country. These interventions are expected to improve survival rates among premature and low-birth-weight babies while ensuring timely medical support for critically ill newborns.
The initiatives also seek to increase immunisation coverage under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). Health authorities will intensify vaccination campaigns to ensure that every eligible child receives life-saving vaccines against preventable diseases. Digital monitoring systems will be used to track immunisation records and minimise missed vaccinations.
Technology will play a significant role in the implementation of the new programmes. Digital health platforms will support the monitoring of pregnancies, vaccination schedules and child health records, enabling healthcare providers to deliver timely interventions. Officials said the integration of digital systems would improve coordination between frontline health workers and medical institutions.
Community health workers, including Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), will receive additional training to strengthen doorstep healthcare delivery. They will conduct regular household visits, educate families on maternal and child health practices and encourage institutional healthcare utilisation.