*‘SAMRIDDHI’ initiative launched in Haryana to strengthen tracking of maternal and newborn health*

*Health Minister Arti Singh Rao Launches New Initiative to Strengthen Maternal and Child Health Monitoring*

 Chandigarh, October 5- With the objective of bringing about a significant reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality in Haryana, Health Minister Arti Singh Rao today launched the ‘SAMRIDDHI’ (Safe Motherhood and Child Health Initiative) proposed by the National Health Mission, Haryana.

Ms. Arti Singh Rao said that SAMRIDDHI is a technology-driven system that will enable continuous tracking of pregnant women and newborns across the State, with a special focus on high-risk pregnancies. The initiative will ensure end-to-end monitoring from antenatal registration of a pregnant woman through delivery and care of the newborn up to 42 days after birth.

To ensure smooth functioning of the SAMRIDDHI system, a SAMRIDDHI Portal, State Command Centre and dedicated 102 Call Centre are being established at the NHM Haryana headquarters, along with a District Call Centre at each district hospital. Registration of every pregnant woman on the SAMRIDDHI Portal will be mandatory, following which a unique SAMRIDDHI ID will be generated. The portal will facilitate longitudinal tracking of services provided at both government and private healthcare facilities. Automated alerts and due lists will also assist ANMs and medical officers in ensuring timely antenatal care, follow-up and preparedness for delivery.

The Health Minister said that under the system, the State Command Centre will undertake real-time monitoring of service delivery, missed antenatal check-ups (ANC), referrals and high-risk cases. The 102 Call Centre will provide counselling to pregnant women, particularly high-risk mothers, and maintain intensive contact with them during the final weeks of pregnancy.

She further said that every identified high-risk pregnant woman will be referred to a PMSMA camp between the 10th and 12th week of pregnancy for appropriate clinical assessment and management.

The Health Minister said that, to save crucial time in critical situations, each woman will be tagged to an appropriate healthcare facility according to her risk category. Private healthcare facilities may also be included based on the beneficiary’s request. This will help prevent unnecessary multiple-level referrals from Primary Health Centres and ensure immediate access to the appropriate level of care during emergencies.

The initiative will also ensure active tracking of newborns born to high-risk mothers, babies discharged from Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) and other vulnerable newborns. The monitoring will cover breastfeeding, danger signs, immunisation and physical growth during the neonatal period.

She further said that for successful implementation of SAMRIDDHI, integrated coordination will be established among NHM Haryana, the Directorate General of Health Services, Medical Education and Research, the Women and Child Development Department, the Civil Registration System, private healthcare facilities and medical colleges.

The Health Minister said that the initiative would help eliminate preventable maternal and neonatal deaths by ensuring 100 per cent pregnancy registration, early identification of high-risk cases and timely referrals, thereby bringing about a transformative improvement in Haryana’s health indicators.