In a significant push to improve maternal health outcomes, the Punjab government's latest protocol-driven pregnancy care initiative has dramatically expanded access to essential services. Within just four months, more than 10,000 pregnant women have received free ultrasound tests, and approximately 20,000 women are now availing antenatal care every month through the state's primary healthcare network.
Addressing a Critical Maternal Health Challenge
This initiative is a direct response to concerning gaps in Punjab's maternal healthcare system. Data from the National Family Health Survey-5 reveals that less than 70% of pregnant women in Punjab received their first antenatal check-up, and fewer than 60% completed the recommended four check-ups during pregnancy. The state's maternal mortality ratio (MMR) stands at 90 per lakh live births, which is higher than the national average of 88. This places Punjab behind states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala.
With around 4.3 lakh pregnancies recorded in the state annually, the scale of the challenge is substantial. The government has set an ambitious target to reduce the MMR to below 72 per lakh live births by the end of the 2025–26 financial year.
How the Aam Aadmi Clinics Model is Transforming Care
To bridge these critical gaps, the state has leveraged its extensive network of 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs), which have already registered over 4.6 crore outpatient visits. Four months ago, the government launched an expanded, protocol-driven pregnancy care model through these clinics.
Under this model, pregnant women can access a comprehensive suite of routine antenatal tests at the clinic level itself. These include tests for HIV, syphilis, complete blood counts, blood sugar, thyroid function, hepatitis, and haemoglobin. For ultrasound services, AAC doctors provide referral slips to pregnant women.
These women can then undergo free ultrasound scans at nearly 500 government-empanelled private diagnostic centres. While the market cost for an ultrasound ranges from Rs 800 to Rs 2,000, women referred from AACs pay nothing. In the past four months alone, this free service, worth approximately Rs 1 crore, has benefited over 10,000 women.
Steady Uptake and Identification of High-Risk Pregnancies
The utilisation of these expanded services has seen a steady increase, with close to 20,000 pregnant women visiting AACs each month for care. A crucial outcome of this screening process is the monthly identification of around 5,000 women with high-risk pregnancies.
This early identification allows for close monitoring and enables timely referral to higher-level healthcare facilities for specialised management, which is vital for preventing complications and saving lives.
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh emphasized the government's commitment, stating that they are building a healthcare system to ensure every mother receives quality care close to home. He highlighted that the expansion of pregnancy care services through Aam Aadmi Clinics is a major step toward strengthening maternal healthcare across the state.
