Health ministry expands scheme for pregnant women

The health ministry has expanded its list of categories of high-risk pregnancies to ensure that more women have institutional deliveries and reduce deaths during or after childbirth.

- Somrita Ghosh

As per a notice issued by the family planning department under National Health Mission and sent to all state mission directors on 14 February, the number of high-risk pregnancy categories has been increased from 10 to 24.

"This step has been taken to save more lives-both mother and the new-born. The addition (of new categories) means a covid-positive woman will be covered under the programme," said a senior official aware of the matter.