Maternal health has long been a critical public health priority in India,requiring sustained focus, systemic reform and compassionate governance.In Telangana’s Nirmal district,this challenge is being addressed through ‘Amma Rakshitha’ a comprehensive maternal and neonatal healthcare initiative launched on under the visionary leadership of IAS Abhilasha Abhinav ,Collector of Nirmal.She is a 2018 Batch Telangana cadre officer.

Conceived as an end-to-end care model,the programme ensures continuous medical support for women,from pregnancy registration to safe institutional delivery and postnatal care.

The impact of this integrated approach has already been significant- Nirmal district has achieved 100 percent institutional deliveries while the Maternal Mortality Rate has declined sharply from 1.5 percent to 0.6 percent below the state average.These outcomes reflect the programme’s emphasis on universal first-trimester registration,early identification of high-risk pregnancies,strengthened referral systems and close monitoring at every level of care,aligned with the district’s vision of becoming a maternal death-free district by 2030.

A high-power committee oversees the implementation of Amma Rakshitha,supported by dedicated Help Desk teams stationed at MCH Nirmal and Area Hospital Bhainsa.These teams serve as a vital link between pregnant women,PHC staff and specialist centres.Through daily follow-ups,they track haemoglobin levels,ensure timely diagnostic scans,promote antenatal exercises and coordinate referrals to tertiary care facilities when required.This seamless coordination has significantly reduced delays in diagnosis and treatment particularly for high-risk cases.

What distinguishes Amma Rakshitha is its life-cycle approach to women’s health. Interventions begin at the school and adolescent stages with nutrition awareness,iron supplementation and early screening for anaemia and menstrual disorders.During pregnancy, women receive comprehensive antenatal care,including TIFFA and growth scans, iron and calcium supplementation, advanced laboratory investigations, cardiac screening through 2D Echo and specialist consultations enabled through telemedicine platforms.

The programme also recognises that maternal health extends beyond physical wellbeing. Prenatal yoga sessions,personalised nutritional counselling and dedicated mental health services addressing postpartum anxiety,depression and psychosis have improved both maternal confidence and overall satisfaction with care.

Beyond measurable health indicators,Amma Rakshitha has strengthened public trust in government healthcare services by delivering consistent,compassionate and high-quality care- setting a new standard for maternal healthcare delivery in India.It stands today as a model of people-centric governance ensuring that every mother in Nirmal is protected, supported and empowered.