Tamil Nadu Introduces ‘Thaimai’ App to Track High-Risk Pregnancies, Immunisation; Aims To Bring Down Maternal & Infant Deaths In State

Chennai: To bring down maternal and infant deaths, health minister Ma Subramanian launched a scheme to provide baby care kits with supplements for low-birth-weight babies, and an app to strengthen maternal health services in the state.The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) in Tamil Nadu are the second lowest in the country, according to the Sample Registration System. The MMR declined from 90.5 per lakh live births in 2021-22 to 52 in 2022-23, 45.5 in 2023-24, and 39.5 in 2024-25.
The IMR declined from 10.4 per 1,000 live births in 2021-22 to 10.2 in 2022-23, 8.2 in 2023-24, and 7.7 in 2024-25. "Govt took various steps to achieve zero MMR and IMR," he said.The target is to achieve the lowest rates in the country, said TN-National Health Mission director A Arun Thamburaj. Nearly 60% of deliveries (4.5 lakh births) in the state take place at govt hospitals. Of them, nearly 50,000 babies weigh less than 2.5kg. Low birth weight babies are a highly vulnerable group requiring sustained follow-up and care, Dr Thamburaj said.To increase weight and prevent deficiencies, infections, and death, the state has now launched "Pachilam kuzhandaigal padukappu pettagam" in all 92 special neonatal care units. "The kit will contain iron, multivitamin, and vitamin D3 supplements free of cost for up to 12 months of age. The storage basket will also have a medical card for the child and an information brochure for the mother. Parents must come back to hospitals with the infant to collect the kits. Tests will be performed to monitor growth, identify malnutrition, and give vaccines to the baby," he said. The kits will be procured by the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation and supplied to hospitals.Meanwhile, the newly launched Thaimai app is a mobile extension of the pregnancy and infant cohort monitoring and evaluation platform of the state govt. The app will allow village health nurses and urban health nurses to track high-risk pregnancies, pending antenatal checks, and immunisations, as well as monitor the health status of mother and child. Pregnant women can get reminders for doctor visits, vaccination, and some IEC materials, said health secretary P Senthilkumar. They can also dial 104 or 108 through a single click on the app, he added.