Punjab expands pregnancy care at Aam Aadmi Clinics, 20,000 women served monthly

In a major move to strengthen maternal healthcare, the Punjab Government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has decentralized pregnancy care through Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs), making essential services more accessible to expectant mothers.

Within four months of launching a protocol-driven pregnancy care model, nearly 20,000 pregnant women are now visiting these clinics every month.

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted the impact of the initiative, noting that over 10,000 women have already received free ultrasound services through a structured referral system.

By empanelling nearly 500 private diagnostic centers, the government has ensured that scans—normally costing ₹800 to ₹2,000—are available at no cost, saving families an estimated ₹1 crore in just 120 days.

Official data had previously shown gaps in maternal care in the state, with fewer than 70 percent of pregnant women receiving their first ante-natal check-up and under 60 percent completing the recommended four visits. Punjab’s maternal mortality ratio stood at 90 per one lakh live births, above the national average, underlining the need for comprehensive, accessible pregnancy care.

With nearly 4.3 lakh pregnancies annually, early detection, regular monitoring, and timely referral are critical. Over the past three years, the Mann government has established 881 AACs, which have become the backbone of the state’s primary healthcare system, recording over 4.6 crore OPD visits and treating nearly 70,000 patients daily. Leveraging this network, the government launched an expanded pregnancy care model at AACs four months ago.

Under the program, all essential ante-natal check-ups—including HIV and syphilis screening, complete blood tests, sugar, thyroid, hepatitis, fetal heart rate, cholesterol, and hemoglobin assessments—are now available at AACs. Where ultrasounds are needed, doctors provide referral slips allowing free access to diagnostic centers. Approximately 5,000 high-risk pregnancies are being identified every month, ensuring continuous tracking, focused support, and timely referral to specialist care when required.

The initiative has also improved the patient experience by reducing travel and wait times, enabling consultations within minutes, and providing financial relief for ultrasound services. From the first ante-natal visit to post-natal follow-up, the program integrates technology, standardized clinical protocols, referral systems, and community-level support to strengthen the entire pregnancy care pathway.

On the achievement, Dr. Balbir Singh said, “Under the visionary leadership of Chief 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 annually, the expansion of pregnancy care services at Aam Aadmi Clinics is a transformative step and sets a new benchmark for primary healthcare in India.”

The government has described the initiative as one of the most significant investments in maternal and child health in recent years, aiming to ensure that geography, income, or awareness barriers do not prevent women from accessing essential healthcare, while improving outcomes for mothers and newborns across the state.