Shillong, July 11 : MOTHER or Measurable Outcomes in Transforming Health sector through a holistic approach with focus on women’s EmpoweRment aims to bring about changes in delivery of various services by leveraging technology. MOTHER identifies targeted beneficiaries, which is supplemented by tracking and follow-ups.
The Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood Scheme (CM-SMS) provides quality healthcare services to mothers and infants by providing transit homes and vehicles for transport of high-risk pregnant and expectant mothers. There are over 2.2 Lakh beneficiaries till date with 80+ transit homes and 150 vehicles for free transport stationed at the PHC/CHC on 24×7 basis to transport pregnant women without any cost.
To ascertain the effect of a policy like MOTHER by the Government of Meghalaya, Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator for India visited Mawtawar Health and Wellness Centers on 7th July 2023 along with Sampath Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary Health & Family Welfare, and R. M Kurbah, IAS, Deputy Commissioner East Khasi Hills District, Dr. A. Lyngdoh DMHO, Dr E. L. Kharmutee, DMCHO and Officials from UN, UNICEF, UNDP, District, Block and Medical Officer in-charge Mawroh PHC, Dr. K. Mawroh.
Speaking during his visit to the health center, Sharp, stated, “MOTHER program as an app based digital platform to outreach any nearby health centers connects the healthcare workers with the mothers during labor pains and last stage of pregnancy. Home based care and transit centers have added value where mothers can come in and stay to avoid any complications and ensure better care, the period of stay can be between a week to a month before they are shifted to the main healthcare facilities”.