Community Health Centre Bhimpur Opens Its Doors to Expectant Families Through ‘Mamta Pathshala’; Innovative Maternal Health Initiative Led by Dr. Pranjal Upadhyay Aims to Increase Institutional Deliveries

In a significant step towards promoting safe motherhood and increasing institutional deliveries in the tribal region of Betul district, the Community Health Centre (CHC) Bhimpur has launched an innovative community engagement initiative titled “Mamta Pathshala” (Motherhood Learning Session). Conceptualized and implemented under the leadership of Dr.Pranjal Upadhyay, the initiative seeks to familiarize pregnant women and their families with hospital-based childbirth services through regular Health Facility Open House Days.

The programme has been designed to address one of the major challenges in maternal healthcare—hesitation and fear associated with institutional deliveries. By opening the doors of the health facility to the community, Mamta Pathshala aims to build confidence among expectant mothers and encourage them to choose safe, facility-based deliveries over home births.

Under the initiative, pregnant women, their husbands, family members, and community elders are invited to visit the health facility and gain firsthand exposure to the services available during pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care. Participants are taken on guided tours of maternity wards, labour rooms, newborn care units, and other key areas of the hospital.

During these visits, doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff explain the complete delivery process, available medical facilities, infection-control measures, emergency response systems, and newborn care services. Demonstrations and interactive sessions help families understand what happens during a normal hospital delivery, thereby reducing anxiety and dispelling long-held myths and misconceptions.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr.Pranjal Upadhyay emphasized that many women in tribal and remote communities continue to opt for home deliveries due to fear of hospitals, lack of awareness, and social misconceptions. “When families see the facilities, interact directly with healthcare providers, and understand the level of care available, their confidence in institutional delivery increases significantly. Mamta Pathshala is an effort to make healthcare more accessible, transparent, and people-centric,” he said.

A key strength of the programme is the active involvement of frontline health workers, including ASHAs and ANMs, who play a vital role in mobilizing pregnant women and guiding them through the sessions. These trusted community health workers explain the importance of antenatal check-ups, institutional deliveries, timely referrals, and postnatal care while addressing concerns specific to the local tribal population.

The initiative also encourages family participation, recognizing that decisions regarding childbirth are often influenced by husbands, mothers-in-law, and other elders. Through open discussions with healthcare professionals, family members are able to seek clarification on issues related to delivery procedures, safety, transportation, costs, and emergency care.

Another important feature of Mamta Pathshala is the sharing of experiences by mothers who have previously delivered at the health facility. Their testimonials provide reassurance to expectant families and help create a positive perception of institutional healthcare services within the community.

Community leaders and local influencers are also being engaged to spread awareness about the benefits of hospital deliveries and to encourage greater participation in the programme. Educational materials, audiovisual presentations, and information sessions further strengthen community understanding of maternal and newborn health.

Health officials believe that the initiative will contribute significantly to reducing preventable maternal and neonatal complications by ensuring that more women deliver under the supervision of skilled healthcare professionals. Increased institutional deliveries not only improve maternal and child health outcomes but also strengthen the overall healthcare system by promoting timely access to emergency obstetric and newborn care.

Early responses from participants have been encouraging, with many families expressing greater confidence in the health facility after attending the sessions. Several pregnant women reported that visiting the labour room and interacting with healthcare providers helped alleviate fears associated with childbirth.

As CHC Bhimpur continues to expand community outreach efforts, Mamta Pathshala is emerging as a model initiative for tribal and rural regions. By fostering trust, improving awareness, and strengthening the relationship between healthcare providers and communities, the programme is expected to play a crucial role in increasing institutional deliveries and ensuring safer births for mothers and newborns across the region.

The initiative reflects a broader commitment to making maternal healthcare more inclusive, accessible, and community-driven—ensuring that every mother receives the care and support she deserves during one of the most important moments of her life.