iKure and MSD for Mothers Join Forces to Expand Women’s Health & Maternal Care Initiative in Jharkhand…

Staff Reporter : Ghatshila , 23rd September, 2025. iKure and MSD for Mothers Join Forces to Expand Women’s Health & Maternal Care Initiative in Jharkhand Under Phase 3, a community-led, tech-enabled model is being scaled to improve maternal outcomes across 10 Panchayats iKure Techsoft Pvt. Ltd., in collaboration with MSD for Mothers and with support from government and community partners, announced the launch of the Women’s Health & Maternal Care Initiative at Barajuri Gram Panchayat, Ghatshila. The program strengthens maternal health care through a tech-enabled, community-led model supported by outreach centres and trained Community Health Workers, known as iKure Community Health Activists (iCHAs).
The launch event was attended by the Mukhiya (Panchayat Head), Panchayat Sachiv, Sahiyas, members of the Panchayat Samiti, local Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs). The ceremony began with the symbolic watering of a plant by the Mukhiya, underscoring a shared commitment to safeguarding the next generation.
The initiative focuses on comprehensive antenatal and postnatal services, early identification and management of high-risk pregnancies (including gestational diabetes and sickle cell anaemia) and the promotion of institutional deliveries. It also empowers community health systems through capacity building, outreach centres, and iKure’s WHIMS (Wireless Health Incident Monitoring System) platform, while building robust linkages with public and private facilities.
“Across Phases 1 and 2, we demonstrated that a community-led, tech-enabled model can significantly improve maternal health,” said Mr. Sujay Santra, Founder & CEO, iKure Techsoft Pvt. Ltd. He added, “By training frontline workers and enabling safer pregnancies, we built a sustainable approach that saves lives and strengthens community health care. In Phase 3, we are ensuring high-risk mothers receive timely screening, care and support for safe pregnancies.”
“Through strategic collaboration and innovative approaches, we are working to solve maternal health challenges while complementing broader public health goals. By focusing on inclusive, sustainable interventions that reach underserved and remote communities, we aim to create scalable models that help build resilient health systems and improve outcomes for women at the last mile,” said Pompy Sridhar, Director of India Programs, MSD for Mothers
Supported by MSD for Mothers, iKure has demonstrated strong impact in the aspirational districts of Khunti and Gumla, Jharkhand—benefitting 2,500+ pregnant women, achieving approximately 90% institutional deliveries, and training 200+ iCHAs (ASHAs, Sahiyas, and ANMs) in collaboration with the Government of Jharkhand. Building on this success, Phase 3 begins in Barajuri Panchayat and will expand across 10 Panchayats, with plans to gradually cover neighbouring areas. This Phase trains local village women as iCHAs to support pregnant women affected by malnutrition, severe anaemia, and other high-risk conditions.
Maternal health remains a national priority aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and India’s commitment to reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio to 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. iKure invites collaboration with healthcare providers, government bodies, academic institutions, and development organisations to improve early detection, facilitate access to schemes, and raise community awareness for safer pregnancies and healthier outcomes.
About iKure Techsoft Pvt Ltd:
Founded in 2010, iKure is a leading social enterprise in primary healthcare, combining community-based interventions with cutting-edge technology to reach the last mile. iKure has impacted 34+ million lives and treated 4.5 million patients across 12 Indian states, many in remote and tribal geographies. From chronic disease management in the Sundarbans to tech-enabled health systems in Africa and Southeast Asia, iKure is creating scalable, global-south-ready healthcare models. To know more about iKure visit the page https://ikuretechsoft.com/
This programme is funded by MSD, through MSD for Mothers, the company’s global initiative to help create a world where no woman has to die while giving life. MSD for Mothers is an initiative of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, U.S.A.