RMNCH+A: Transforming Maternal and Child Health in 2024

Learn about the RMNCH+A approach, a comprehensive strategy launched in 2013 to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health. Explore its goals, key components, and the impact it aims to achieve by 2024.

RMNCH+A is a strategic approach launched in 2013 to address major causes of mortality among women and children. It focuses on a ‘continuum of care,’ ensuring targeted interventions across various life stages. The approach introduces key initiatives like the National Iron+ Initiative and Comprehensive Screening to improve health outcomes. This post explores the objectives, strategies, and impact of RMNCH+A.

RMNCH+A Overview

Introduction:
The RMNCH+A (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health Plus Adolescents) approach, launched in 2013, aims to address major causes of mortality among women and children, and improve access to health services. It focuses on a ‘continuum of care’ approach, covering different life stages with targeted interventions and new initiatives.

Key Components:

• Score Card: To track performance and outcomes.
• National Iron+ Initiative: To combat anemia across all age groups.
• Comprehensive Screening: Early detection of defects, diseases, and deficiencies in children and adolescents.
• Focus: Vulnerable populations and high-focus districts.

Objectives and Goals:

Health Outcome Goals (12th Five Year Plan):

1. Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Reduce to 25 per 1,000 live births by 2017.
2. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): Reduce to 100 per 100,000 live births by 2017.
3. Total Fertility Rate (TFR): Reduce to 2.1 by 2017.

Coverage Targets for Key Interventions (2017):

1. Perinatal Care Facilities: Increase by 100%.
2. Births in Institutions: Increase by 5.6% annually from a baseline of 61%.
3. Antenatal Care: Increase by 6% annually from a baseline of 53%.
4. Postnatal Care: Increase by 7.5% annually from a baseline of 45%.
5. Skilled Birth Attendants: Increase by 2% annually from a baseline of 76%.
6. Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates: Increase by 9.6% annually from a baseline of 36%.
7. Underweight Children: Reduce prevalence by 5.5% annually from a baseline of 45%.
8. DTP Vaccination Coverage: Increase by 3.5% annually from a baseline of 7%.
9. ORS Use for Diarrhea: Increase by 7.2% annually from a baseline of 43%.
10. Anaemia Reduction: Decrease in adolescent girls (15-19 years) by 6% annually from a baseline of 56%, and in boys by 30%.
11. Adolescent Fertility Rate: Decrease by 3.8% annually from a baseline of 16%.

Rationale of RMNCH+A Strategies

Integrated Approach:

• Holistic Focus: RMNCH+A emphasizes that reproductive, maternal, and child health cannot be addressed in isolation. It advocates for a comprehensive approach that links various health services and stages of care.
• Health Delivery System: The strategy focuses on enhancing what the health delivery system can do to meet maternal and child health goals, ensuring a more effective impact.

Purpose of RMNCH+A:

• Comprehensive Improvement: The primary goal is to improve child survival and ensure safe motherhood through a holistic approach that addresses all relevant health factors.

Significance of the ‘Plus’ in RMNCH+A:

• Adolescence as a Key Stage: The ‘Plus’ includes adolescence as a distinct life stage, recognizing its importance in the overall strategy.
• Linkage of Health Components: It connects maternal and child health with reproductive health and other areas such as family planning, adolescent health, HIV, and prenatal diagnostic techniques.
• Continuous Care Pathway: By integrating community and facility-based care, along with effective referrals, RMNCH+A creates a continuous care pathway that enhances overall outcomes and impact.

COURSES

GNM

BSC NURSES