Aizawl: The Lunglei district administration in Mizoram has earned national recognition for its maternal and child health initiative — Project BLOOM.
The flagship maternal and child health initiative was presented at the “Best Practices Seminar” organized by NITI Aayog in New Delhi on Friday (August 8).
The event celebrated successful interventions from 329 aspirational districts and 500 aspirational blocks across the country.
Under the theme “Transforming Health: Breakthrough Interventions,” Lunglei Deputy Commissioner Navneet Mann presented Project BLOOM (Better Living through Outreach, Optimal Maternal and Child Health) as one of the 19 selected best practices.
Launched on June 17, 2023, Project BLOOM addresses maternal and child health challenges in the Lungsen aspirational block of Lunglei district.
The region, marked by difficult terrain, high logistical costs, limited internet access, and awareness gaps, had long struggled with poor health indicators.
The project seeks to bridge these gaps through a community-driven, convergence-based approach that integrates health, nutrition, transport, and behaviour change.
Under this project, the administration introduced an on-call transport service that prioritises high-risk pregnancies and remote villages to ensure timely referrals to the district hospital.
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Villagers set up twelve temporary homestays near delivery points to provide accommodation and support until delivery. VHSNCs conducted house-to-house surveys to identify pregnant women and malnourished children (SAM/MAM).