Govt to start AI-driven maternal, child health monitoring systems in Rayagada
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Koraput: In a first-of-its-kind initiative for tribal Odisha, the state govt is set to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven maternal and child health monitoring systems in Rayagada district.
The pilot project is aimed at reducing the maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) in one of the state's most vulnerable regions.
According to officials in the health and family welfare department, the pilot will deploy AI-based diagnostic kits to monitor the health of pregnant women throughout the gestation period. These kits, already cleared after successful trials, will be used by frontline healthcare workers to detect early signs of complications ensuring timely intervention and improved health outcomes.
Rayagada has historically faced challenges in maternal and child healthcare due to its difficult terrain and poor connectivity. "By bringing AI into the fold, we aim to bridge the gap between rural patients and quality healthcare," said a senior health department official involved in the project.
The AI-enabled system is designed to track the physical and cognitive development of the foetus from the earliest stages.
The kits will also enable real-time screening and generate instant health reports, which can be shared remotely with doctors for expert consultation.
Prafulla Padhi, a senior gynaecologist at Rayagada district headquarters hospital, said, "We have come to know about the government's plan to launch AI tools in the district, although formal instructions are yet to be received. It's a welcome step that can help us detect risks early and reduce complications during delivery."
The initiative plans to equip Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and other field workers with smartphones and training. They will be taught to operate the AI kits, collect health data, and upload it to a centralised software system. The system will then analyse the data using machine learning algorithms and provide personalised health assessments for each pregnant woman.
Officials said the AI kits are designed to be user-friendly and can be operated by health workers with minimal training.
The goal is to empower the ground-level teams with smart tools that improve efficiency and coverage.
"Technology can be a game-changer for inclusive healthcare. With the help of the AI kit, more patients can be treated in less time, and those in serious condition can receive immediate medical attention," said PK Mishra, additional district medical and public health officer, Rayagada.
As per SRS MMR bulletin-2018-20, Odisha MMR now stands at 119. (deaths per one lakh mothers). Odisha's IMR is 36 (deaths per 1000 births). According to health department data, Rayagada's MMR is 170 and IMR 33.
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