Led by IAS Dibyajyoti Parida in Odisha’s Ganjam district, the ‘Nirikhyana’ initiative offers free ultrasound scans to pregnant women in rural areas.
Before this initiative, ultrasounds were considered a luxury — especially in rural and tribal regions. Now, up to three free scans are provided, thus removing financial barriers.
Many women, who had to travel up to 75 kilometres for an ultrasound, can now access facilities within their blocks,” the IAS officer says.
The scheme follows a PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model, collaborating with private and government diagnostic centres to expand access to underserved rural populations.
It operates through a three-module approach involving registration, consultation, and referral stages — proactively identifying and managing high-risk pregnancies.
Formally launched in 2023, the initiative has significantly improved maternal and child health, offering support to 1.38 lakh pregnant women during a vulnerable time.
As a result, ultrasound use has risen from under 30% to over 128%, while maternal and neonatal mortality have dropped from 97 to 69 and 18 to 9, respectively, in two years.
The initiative alleviates economic pressure on low-income families by providing essential healthcare services at no cost.
It also reduces the need for women to travel long distances to access ultrasound facilities by making them available within local blocks.
So far, the district administration has utilised up to Rs 20 lakh for the implementation of the programme.
Reflecting on the initiative’s success, IAS Dibyajyoti says, “It’s incredibly rewarding to see an initiative making a tangible difference, especially for pregnant women who are bringing new life into the world.”