Lucknow: The UP government’s digital tool Mantra (Mother Newborn Tracking App) has received the ‘Silver’ award at the 26th National e-Governance Award of the Government of India in Indore on Friday. Medical Health and Family Welfare Department and National Health Mission Uttar Pradesh have developed this ‘Mantra App’ in collaboration with UNICEF. Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh gave the award to National Health Mission Director Uttar Pradesh Dr. Pinky Joval, General Manager Maternal Health Dr. Ravi Dixit and UNICEF health specialist Dr. Kanupriya Singhal.
The mantra was launched on 5 December 2021 by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at more than 5547 delivery points. Mantra is an online Management Information System (MIS) for Labor Room. Which has been developed to ensure the quality of care during the most critical period childbirth. Mantra digitizes the information available in the Labor Room Delivery Register and Referral-out Register to facilitate monitoring and data-driven decision making.
Over 32 lakh deliveries have been registered on Mantra since its launch. The data has been used to monitor the quality of maternal and child care. The mantra has also been integrated with other tools of the government developed for the care of mothers and children, such as e-Kavach and birth registration. So that the birth registration of the child can be ensured immediately after birth.
UNICEF Uttar Pradesh chief Dr. Zakari Adam said, “UNICEF has collaborated with the state government to develop the Mantra app to ensure better care for mothers and newborns in the labor room. Its proper use will help in reducing the maternal and infant mortality rate.
He said that the mantra has improved the quality of care at the time of birth for more than 28 lakh pregnant women and their newborns who delivered in government health facilities of the state. The mantra has also contributed to community awareness for newborn care through dissemination of messages such as promotion of breastfeeding and immunization.
Uttar Pradesh, with a population of over 24 crore and a Maternal Mortality Ratio (SRS 2018-20) of 167 per lakh live births, accounts for one-third of maternal deaths in the country. It also contributes to a quarter of neonatal deaths in the country. In which there are about 150,000 deaths annually. Every year more than 28 lakh deliveries take place in the public health facilities of Uttar Pradesh. According to statistics, about 40% of maternal and infant deaths occur on the day of delivery. Therefore, the mantra has been developed with the aim of improving the facilities provided during this period.