Institutional deliveries reported by the States/UTs during the period from April to December, 2019 is 1.54 crore in comparison to 1.33 Crore for the corresponding period for the current year i.e. from April to December, 2020 as reported in Health Management Information System (HMIS) informed by the Minister of State, Health and Family Welfare, Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Keeping in view the importance of institutional deliveries, several initiatives have been taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare so as to ensure smooth provisioning of health services by the States / UTs including maternal health, child health, immunisation, etc.
Regular monitoring and video conferences were held with the States/UTs highlighting the necessity of continued services during COVID–19 times.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also shared ‘Guidance Note on Provision of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) Services during and post COVID-19 Pandemic’ and ‘Enabling Delivery of Essential Health Services during COVID-19 Outbreak’ on April 14, 2020 and May 24 2020 respectively.