maternal health

From battling deadly diseases in remote forests to making cancer care affordable, these five doctors are redefining healthcare in India. Showcasing the nominees for ‘Optum Presents The Better India Showcase’, supported by the M3M Foundation — their innovations, compassion, and determination are taking lifesaving treatment to the country’s most underserved corners.

New mothers often face unsolicited and hurtful comments about breastfeeding that can affect their confidence and emotional well-being. Here, we highlight common remarks to avoid, share expert advice from a paediatrician, and offer supportive affirmations every breastfeeding mother deserves to hear.

Senthil Kumar Murugesan's JioVio is an AI-powered wearable that monitors high-risk pregnancies in rural India, detecting complications early to reduce maternal mortality and improve healthcare access.

Dr M Aishwarya is part of the Coimbatore Parenting Network, which aims to spreads awareness on correct breastfeed techniques, postpartum depression, and presence of breast milk banks. She runs a campaign to encourage mothers to forego myths and taboos around breastfeeding to donate excess milk to infants in need.

Fighting child marriage, transforming schools, generating employment, making healthcare accessible — it has been a year of hard efforts. And as the year comes to an end, we would like to draw special attention to 10 such officers and their efforts, who have done all they could do, to make India better.

Before 2013, only one in ten women received their complete antenatal care (ANC). But by the end of 2018, all pregnant women in this small hill town complete all six ANCs even if they choose not to deliver their baby at the centre.

“One thing that I'm very proud of is starting the 'respectful maternity care' initiative, where both doctors and midwives are tasked with treating women with dignity, respecting her privacy at every stage of pregnancy, and acquiring a woman’s informed consent before anyone touches her," says IAS officer, detailing the campaign which single-handedly brought down the overall maternal mortality rate of the entire country.

Started in 2011, project ‘ASARA’ focused on the tribal populations of Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh, covering the 45,000-plus population in 181 habitations.

Breastfeeding is an often misunderstood, and occasionally controversial, aspect of motherhood in India. Hence, new moms can often struggle with misconceptions about it. However, an increasing number of platforms are offering advice and help to mothers in need.

Janan Dave recounts her experience with a Bangalore-based social enterprise working to revolutionize newborn health through technology as part of the William J. Clinton Fellowship for Service in India.