Nagrota: In a major advancement for maternal and child health, the Indian Army has launched the Surakshit Matritva Sakhi programme, a comprehensive antenatal care initiative aimed at ensuring safe motherhood and reducing maternal and neonatal mortality.
The programme was inaugurated with a day-long orientation workshop titled “Foundations of Antenatal Care & Nutritional Counselling,” led by a distinguished gynecology specialist. The training sessions covered essential aspects of antenatal care, including the importance of timely ANC visits, recognizing normal versus warning signs in pregnancy, nutritional counselling and vaccinations like Tetanus. A total of 50 women participated in the training session.
A key focus was placed on the role of Matritva Sakhis—women volunteers trained to monitor the health of pregnant women within their units. These volunteers serve as a crucial link between the families and healthcare providers, ensuring early detection of complications, timely referrals and comprehensive guidance on diet and lifestyle.
This initiative not only strengthens maternal healthcare delivery but also empowers women, providing them with the opportunity to transition into roles like ASHA workers after their spouses retire from service. Under the SMS programme, each pregnant woman will receive monthly home consultations from a designated Sakhi, ensuring continuous care, health monitoring and emotional support throughout their pregnancy. The SMS programme marks a pioneering step in preventive maternal care within the Armed Forces, reflecting a compassionate, community-driven approach to healthcare. The Indiam Arny reaffirms its commitment to the welfare of its families, with this initiative standing as a model of health, empowerment and social responsibility.
