Aam Aadmi Clinics Strengthen Pregnancy Services, Transform Maternal Care in Punjab

Punjab advances pregnancy care by using Aam Aadmi Clinics as a primary health platform, offering free ultrasounds, regular antenatal checks, and streamlined referrals to higher centres for high-risk cases, improving access and outcomes.

The Bhagwant Mann Government’s protocol-based pregnancy care model through Aam Aadmi Clinics is already changing access for expectant mothers in Punjab. Within four months, more than 10,000 pregnant women have received free ultrasound scans, and nearly 20,000 are now visiting these clinics each month for pregnancy care and early risk checks.

The new system is also reshaping day-to-day experience for patients. Women complete most tests near their homes, avoid long queues at big hospitals, and get seen within minutes. From the first ante-natal visit through post-natal checks, technology, standard protocols, and referral links now support a more organised pregnancy care pathway.

pregnancy care in Punjab through Aam Aadmi Clinics

Panjab had worrying pregnancy care indicators before this reform. Official figures showed that under 70 percent of pregnant women had even one ante-natal check. Fewer than 60 percent completed the recommended four visits. The maternal mortality ratio stood at 90 per one lakh live births, higher than the national average.

These gaps pushed the Bhagwant Mann Government to redesign pregnancy care in Punjab using primary health facilities. The state already had a growing network of Aam Aadmi Clinics. Authorities chose these centres as the base for a structured pregnancy care model, so support could reach women in both cities and rural areas.

pregnancy care in Punjab: services and reach

Over the past three years, the Mann government has opened 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics across Punjab. These clinics now act as the backbone of primary healthcare. They have recorded more than 4.6 crore OPD visits and treat nearly 70,000 patients each day, offering a ready platform for large-scale pregnancy care.

Under the new pregnancy care protocol, all core ante-natal services are available at Aam Aadmi Clinics. Tests include HIV and syphilis screening, full blood counts, blood sugar, thyroid levels, hepatitis, cholesterol, haemoglobin and fetal heart rate checks. Regular monitoring at these clinics supports early detection and better management of health risks.

When ultrasounds are needed, doctors at Aam Aadmi Clinics issue referral slips. These allow pregnant women to get free scans at almost 500 government-empanelled private diagnostic centres. Market rates for an ultrasound usually fall between ₹800 and ₹2,000, but women referred from the clinics do not pay these charges.

In just four months, over 10,000 free ultrasounds have been completed, giving pregnant women an estimated saving of about ₹1 crore. Nearly 20,000 expectant mothers now come to Aam Aadmi Clinics every month. Around 5,000 are flagged as high-risk pregnancies monthly, then tracked and referred to higher centres when specialist care is required.

On this progress, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said the change shows the state’s focus on mothers and infants. "Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab is building a healthcare system that ensures every mother receives quality care close to home. With 4.3 lakh pregnancies annually, the expansion of pregnancy care services at Aam Aadmi Clinics is a transformative step and sets a new benchmark for primary healthcare in India," he said.

The Punjab Government calls this one of its most important recent investments in maternal and child health. The aim is that no pregnant woman misses care due to distance, low income or lack of information. Officials expect steady gains in health outcomes for mothers and newborns as the pregnancy care model matures.