In a landmark decision for maternal and child health, the Uttarakhand government has formally approved the Nurse Practitioner Midwifery (NPM) programme, aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality while ensuring safer childbirth practices across the state.
The approval was announced during a state-level meeting of the Midwifery Task Force held at the Secretariat on Monday, chaired by Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar. Describing the move as a “historic achievement,” Dr. Kumar said the initiative would serve as a milestone in strengthening maternal health services and promoting safe motherhood in Uttarakhand.
Currently, Uttarakhand’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) stands at 104 per 100,000 live births, compared to the national average of 88 per 100,000 live births. Officials noted that the new midwifery programme is designed to narrow this gap by ensuring timely, skilled, and respectful care for pregnant women.
Dr. Kumar emphasized that the programme would improve the quality of maternal and neonatal health services in the state. “The Nurse Practitioner Midwifery programme will significantly reduce maternal and infant deaths and promote safe deliveries, which is crucial for the health of mothers and newborns,” he said.
First Batch of 30 Midwives
As part of the rollout, the government will soon launch the first batch of 30 nurse practitioner midwives, who will undergo 18 months of specialized training at the State Midwifery Training Institute, Dehradun. Candidates will be drawn from GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) and B.Sc. Nursing backgrounds.
On successful completion of the programme, the midwives will be deployed across selected government health facilities in Uttarakhand. They will provide evidence-based, respectful, and quality maternal care, ensuring safer deliveries and improved health outcomes for both mothers and newborns.
Supporting National and Global Goals
Officials pointed out that the initiative is in alignment with the Government of India’s national midwifery mission as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focusing on maternal and child health. By introducing professional midwives trained in international standards, the state hopes to set a benchmark for safe maternity care.
“The move will not only raise the quality of health services in Uttarakhand but will also bring the state closer to national and global targets on reducing maternal and infant mortality,” Dr. Kumar added.
Broad Participation in Decision-Making
The meeting that approved the programme was attended by several key officials, including Mission Director Manuj Goyal, NHM Director Dr. Rashmi Pant, Dr. Shikha Jangpangi, Director of Health Services Dr. C.P. Tripathi, Dr. Uma Rawat, Assistant Director NHM, and Senior Consultant Dr. Nitin Arora, along with other senior officers of the health department.
Their collective endorsement underscores the government’s determination to ensure safe and respectful maternity care across the state.
Looking Ahead
With the launch of the midwifery programme, Uttarakhand is set to emerge as one of the pioneering states in India to institutionalize professional midwifery services. The government hopes that the initiative will not only bring down maternal and infant deaths but also instill greater confidence in rural and underserved communities when it comes to accessing institutional healthcare.
Health experts believe the programme will also help ease the burden on doctors and nurses, ensuring that women receive timely, specialized attention during pregnancy and childbirth.
