‘Supraja’ Programme Improves Maternal, Child Health Across Chhattisgarh

Raipur, November 26

The ‘Supraja’ programme, being implemented in Chhattisgarh under the National AYUSH Mission of the Union Ministry of AYUSH, has reported steady improvement in maternal and child health across the state. The scheme, run by the Directorate of AYUSH, Chhattisgarh focuses on comprehensive care of pregnant women and newborns, including nutrition, safety and overall health promotion.

The programme is being implemented through 40 AYUSH health institutions across different districts, where doctors and paramedical staff have been trained in line with guidelines issued by the Central government. Regular services are being provided under the initiative, including monthly check ups for pregnant women, developmental assessments of newborns, and AYUSH based healthcare support aimed at maintaining physical, mental and emotional well being during pregnancy.

As part of the programme, regular ‘garbh sanskar’ sessions are being conducted for expectant mothers with the objective of ensuring the birth of healthy children. Ayurveda specialists provide monthly guidance on diet and lifestyle, while yoga instructors and Ayurveda doctors train women in yogic practices considered beneficial during pregnancy. To extend the reach of the initiative, regular yoga classes are being conducted across AYUSH institutions.

Ayurvedic medicines are being provided free of cost to pregnant women. A considerable reduction in pregnancy related complications has been recorded under the programme. After delivery, both mother and child are followed up medically for six months, and counselling is provided on the importance of breastfeeding.

So far, about 7,781 pregnant women have been registered across the 40 institutions linked to the programme, and 9,890 ‘garbh sanskar’ sessions have been successfully conducted. These figures reflect the growing impact of the initiative and its role in improving maternal and child health indicators in the state.