Maternal Health – Andhra Pradesh Orders Complete Digital Registration for Pregnant Women
Maternal Health – The Andhra Pradesh Health Department has instructed officials to ensure that every pregnant woman in the state is registered digitally, placing maternal and infant safety at the centre of the public health effort.
Principal Secretary for Health S. Suresh Kumar issued the direction during a review meeting held at the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare in Mangalagiri on Thursday. Health Commissioner Chakradhar Babu was also present at the meeting, which examined progress on seasonal disease control, the Pulse Polio campaign, HPV vaccine distribution and National Health Mission programmes.
District Performance Draws Official Attention
During the review, Kumar expressed concern over the uneven pace of digital registration in several districts. He said the registration system is essential for tracking antenatal care, identifying high-risk pregnancies and ensuring that women receive timely medical support before and after delivery.
Srikakulam reported the lowest registration level at 85.43 per cent. Eluru followed with 87 per cent, while Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district recorded 87.36 per cent.
By comparison, Kurnool showed the strongest performance with 98.16 per cent registration. West Godavari stood at 97.99 per cent, followed by Alluri Sitarama Raju district at 96.90 per cent.
Best Practices to Be Shared With Lagging Districts
The Principal Secretary directed nodal officers to study the methods used in districts with higher registration coverage and apply those approaches in areas where progress has been slower.
Officials were asked to strengthen coordination between health workers, local medical teams and district-level monitoring units. The focus is expected to remain on reaching women in remote areas, improving follow-up visits and ensuring that registration data is updated without delay.
The department views digital registration as an important part of maternal healthcare planning because it allows health authorities to monitor pregnancies more closely and organise medical services according to local needs.
Concern Raised Over Caesarean Delivery Rates
The review also examined the high number of Caesarean deliveries reported in some districts. Kumar sought detailed explanations from officials after noting that the rates were significantly elevated in several areas.
Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district recorded a Caesarean section rate of 80.76 per cent. Srikakulam reported 75 per cent, while West Godavari stood at 72.50 per cent.
The Principal Secretary asked health officials to assess the reasons behind the figures and ensure that delivery decisions are based on medical requirements. The department is expected to examine hospital-level data, referral patterns and clinical practices in districts with higher C-section rates.
Wider Review Covers Public Health Programmes
Apart from maternal health, the meeting reviewed preparations related to seasonal illnesses and the ongoing public health response. Officials also discussed the Pulse Polio programme and the distribution of HPV vaccines.
National Health Mission activities were reviewed to assess implementation at the district level and identify areas requiring additional support. The health department is likely to continue monitoring progress through regular reviews and district-level reporting.
The state government’s latest directions underline the importance of improving pregnancy tracking systems and strengthening maternal care services across Andhra Pradesh. Officials have been asked to work towards full registration coverage while addressing gaps in healthcare delivery and monitoring.