New Maternal and Child Health Initiatives

Why in News?

Recently, at the 16^th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW), the health minister unveiled major initiatives to strengthen maternal and child healthcare.

Revised Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

• Saturation‑based screening – Universal coverage for all groups (children, adolescents, women of reproductive age, pregnant women, and lactating mothers) instead of selective screening.
• Digital tracking – Each beneficiary is tracked on digital platforms, ensuring proper follow‑up and reducing drop‑outs.
• Case‑based Management – Focus on individual treatment plans tailored to the severity and type of anaemia, not generic interventions.
• Dietary diversification and behaviour Change – It is beyond supplements by promoting nutrition counselling, diverse diets, and lifestyle changes for long‑term impact.

Operational guidelines on National Ambulance Services, 2026

• Establishes uniform national standards for emergency medical transport.
• Standardises ambulance infrastructure, staffing, equipment, response protocols, and digital integration across States/UTs.

SUMAN Roadmap 2030

• A strategic framework for maternal and newborn healthcare in India and is linked to the Sustainable Development Goal targets for 2030.
• Aim – To strengthen service quality, universal antenatal care, maternity care, and to reduce preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.

Samagra Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram

• Integrated Care (0–3 years) – Merges Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) and Home-Based Care for Young Child (HBYC) programmes to provide home and community‑based healthcare.
• Risk‑Based Follow‑Up – Extra home visits for vulnerable children.
• Early Screening – Strengthened through Well‑Baby Sessions and Shishu Shivirs.

Reference

The Hindu | Maternal and child health initiatives