“Uttar Pradesh’s ₹100 crore health initiative aims to enhance maternal and child healthcare, targeting better nutrition, medical access, and institutional deliveries for pregnant women. The program focuses on reducing maternal mortality rates and ensuring comprehensive support for high-risk pregnancies across the state.”
UP’s ₹100 Crore Push for Maternal Health
Financial Commitment: The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a ₹100 crore allocation to strengthen healthcare services for pregnant women, emphasizing maternal and child health under state-led schemes.
Program Objectives: The initiative aligns with national programs like the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) and Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), aiming to provide financial aid, nutritional support, and quality antenatal care to pregnant and lactating mothers.
Focus on Nutrition: Funds will support schemes like Anganwadi Services, providing supplementary nutrition (600 kcal, 18-20 gm protein) for 300 days annually to pregnant women, addressing malnutrition and promoting healthy pregnancies.
Cash Incentives: Under PMMVY, eligible pregnant women receive ₹5,000 in three installments for their first child, with an additional ₹1,000 for institutional deliveries under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), totaling ₹6,000 on average. For the second child, ₹6,000 is provided if it’s a girl to promote gender equity.
Antenatal Care Expansion: The initiative strengthens PMSMA, offering free, comprehensive antenatal checkups on the 9th of every month. Over 65 million pregnant women have been examined nationwide under this scheme, with UP aiming to increase coverage for high-risk pregnancies.
Reducing Maternal Mortality: UP’s efforts target a reduction in the state’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), currently at 88 per 100,000 live births (2020-22), aligning with India’s SDG goal of MMR below 70 by 2030.
High-Risk Pregnancy Management: The program emphasizes early detection and management of high-risk pregnancies through obstetrician-led checkups, ultrasounds, and lab investigations like hemoglobin and glucose screening.
ASHA Workers’ Role: Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) will play a key role in delivering doorstep services, counseling on nutrition, and ensuring pregnant women attend antenatal checkups, especially in rural areas.
Infrastructure Upgrades: Part of the budget will enhance labor rooms and maternity operation theaters under the LaQshya initiative, ensuring quality care during delivery and postpartum periods.
Community Outreach: The state will leverage social media and community events to raise awareness about maternal health schemes, encouraging institutional deliveries to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent reports, government announcements, and web sources related to maternal health initiatives in Uttar Pradesh. Information is accurate as of September 2025, but readers are advised to verify details with official government sources for the latest updates.