District administration to sign MoU with Dayanand Medical College & Hospital to eliminate preventable maternal deaths

Ludhiana, May 6, 2026: In a significant step towards reducing maternal mortality under the District Mission JEEVNI, Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain on Wednesday announced that the district administration will enter into an MoU with Dayanand Medical College & Hospital to provide specialised and timely care to at least 20 high-risk and very high-risk pregnancy cases referred monthly from Civil Hospital Ludhiana alongwith an MoU for tracking of High Risk Pregnancies by Nursing students volunteers. 
Chairing a high-level review meeting on zeroing maternal mortality, the Deputy Commissioner emphasized the critical importance of the ‘Golden Hour’—the crucial window in which timely medical intervention can save both mother and child. He issued strict directives to the health department that all high-risk and very high-risk pregnancy cases must be directly referred to Civil Hospital, avoiding delays caused by routing patients through sub-divisional or peripheral health centres. 
Adopting a zero-tolerance stance toward avoidable maternal deaths, Jain underscored the need for proactive monitoring and early identification of high-risk pregnancies. He directed that Gynaecologists and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) workers to ensure that all OPD slips clearly indicate ‘high-risk’ or ‘very high-risk’ status to facilitate immediate and appropriate referral and save the precious lives of the Pregnant females. 
Further strengthening maternal healthcare support, the Deputy Commissioner instructed officials to ensure that every pregnant woman is enrolled under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojna, enabling access to free and cashless treatment. For Migratory population, Enrollment under PM Ayushman Yojana must be taken to cover all the migratory Pregnant Ladies. 
Surprise inspections by Zonal Licensing Authority have also been mandated to verify the availability of MTP kits and ensure readiness across healthcare facilities.
The meeting included a detailed, case-by-case review of maternal mortality incidents of past 2 months, focusing on identifying gaps in antenatal care, delays in referrals, and shortcomings in emergency response systems. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), treating doctors, and senior medical officers participated in the discussions. Alongwith this, discussion on ensuring the streamlining and efficiency of testing for UDIDs (Unique Disability ID) cards. 
The committee emphasized strict adherence to clinical protocols, timely stabilisation, and efficient referral mechanisms. Any delays, negligence, or systemic gaps—whether at the community, facility, or referral level—were critically examined, and accountability was fixed wherever deficiencies were found. This strategic collaboration and renewed focus on the ‘Golden Hour’ mark a significant step toward ensuring safer pregnancies and healthier outcomes for mothers and newborns across the district.
Prominent amongst those present included Civil Surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur, Dr Bishav Mohan, Dr Ashima, Dr Amanpreet, Dr Rohit Rampal, ZLA Dinesh Gupta and others.