Just four months after launching a specialized, protocol-based pregnancy care model, the state has seen a massive rise in service utilization, with nearly 20,000 pregnant women visiting Aam Aadmi clinics every month, Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh said on Sunday.
In an official statement, Singh said the program has already provided free ultrasound services to more than 10,000 women through a unique referral system.
By bringing together nearly 500 private diagnostic centres, the government has ensured that women can access the scans, which typically cost between $800 and $2,000, totally free. This intervention alone has saved Punjab families an estimated amount $1 crore in out-of-pocket expenses in 120 days, it said in a statement.
Official data shows that less than 70% of pregnant women in Punjab had received their first prenatal check-up and less than 60% had completed the four recommended check-ups, while the state’s maternal mortality rate stood at 90 per lakh live births, higher than the national average.
These numbers underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive and accessible pregnancy care model across the state.
When ultrasound scans are required, doctors at Aam Aadmi Clinic issue referral sheets allowing pregnant women to access free ultrasound services, Balbir Singh said. Around 5,000 women are identified monthly as having high-risk pregnancies, allowing for continuous monitoring, targeted support and timely referral to higher medical centers for specialized care. The reform has also significantly improved the patient experience, the Health Minister said.
From the first prenatal visit to postnatal follow-up, the initiative strengthens the entire pregnancy care pathway through the integration of technology, standardized clinical protocols, referral systems and support at the community level, the minister said. “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab is building a healthcare system that ensures every mother receives quality care close to home. With 4.3 lakh pregnancies a year, the expansion of pregnancy care services at Aam Aadmi Clinics is a transformative step and sets a new benchmark for primary healthcare in India,” he said.
