Chandigarh, Jan 4 (NationPress) The Punjab government has implemented a decentralised approach to maternal healthcare, with Aam Aadmi Clinics becoming a vital resource for expectant mothers, as stated by government officials on Sunday.

Since the introduction of a specialised, protocol-driven pregnancy care model just four months ago, the state has seen an impressive increase in service usage, with approximately 20,000 pregnant women visiting these clinics monthly, according to the State Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh.

This initiative has already facilitated free ultrasound services for over 10,000 women through a referral system.

By partnering with nearly 500 private diagnostic centres, the Punjab government has made it possible for women to access scans that typically range from Rs 800 to Rs 2,000 at no charge.

This effort has resulted in significant savings for families, amounting to an estimated Rs 1 crore in out-of-pocket costs within just 120 days.

Current statistics reveal that less than 70 percent of pregnant women in Punjab have received their initial ante-natal check-up, and fewer than 60 percent have completed the recommended series of four check-ups, with the state's maternal mortality ratio standing at 90 per one lakh live births, which is higher than the national average.

These statistics highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive and accessible pregnancy care model throughout the state.

Punjab sees nearly 4.3 lakh pregnancies annually, making early detection, regular monitoring, and timely referrals essential for ensuring the well-being of both mothers and infants.

In the last three years, the state government has set up 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics, which have become the cornerstone of Punjab's primary healthcare system, achieving over 4.6 crore OPD visits and serving nearly 70,000 patients daily.

Utilizing this infrastructure, the state government introduced an enhanced, protocol-driven pregnancy care model via Aam Aadmi Clinics about four months ago.

This reform makes all necessary ante-natal check-ups available directly at the Aam Aadmi Clinics.

These services encompass routine and critical tests such as HIV and syphilis screening, complete blood tests, assessments for sugar, thyroid, hepatitis, fetal heart rate, cholesterol, and hemoglobin levels.

When ultrasounds are necessary, doctors provide referral slips that allow pregnant women to access free ultrasound services.

Significantly, around 5,000 women are identified monthly as high-risk pregnancies, enabling ongoing monitoring, targeted support, and timely referral to advanced medical facilities for specialised care.