J P Nadda launches new initiatives on Universal Health Coverage Day

Union Health Minister JP Nadda launched new initiatives including Laqshya-A Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative and safe delivery application at a function in New Delhi on the occasion of Universal Health Coverage Day yesterday. 

Laqshya initiative is expected to improve the quality of care that is being provided to the pregnant mother in the Labour Room and Maternity Operation Theatres, thereby preventing the undesirable adverse outcomes associated with childbirth. 

Mr Nadda said, this will be implemented in Government Medical Colleges besides District Hospitals and high delivery load Sub-District Hospitals and Community Health Centres. 

He said the goal of this initiative is to reduce preventable maternal and newborn mortality, morbidity and stillbirths associated with the care around delivery in Labour room.The Safe Delivery Application is a mHealth tool that can be used for health



workers who manage normal and complicated deliveries in the peripheral areas. It can play a pivotal role in training, post-training reinforcement, mentoring and demonstration.

The Health Minister also released the Operational Guidelines for Obstetric High Dependency Units and Intensive Care Units. These guidelines will complement the already existing National guidelines and help the states and state-level policy makers in setting up and operationalising these critical care units, dedicated to the pregnant women and recently delivered mothers in medical colleges and district hospitals.

Mr Nadda also said, the government is committed to advancing the agenda of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country. He said, the UHC, which is aimed at ensuring equitable access for all to affordable, accountable, appropriate health services of assured quality, will significantly enhance the efficiency of health system.