The Government of India identifies the “block’ as the primary unit for implementation and management of life-saving RMNCH+A interventions. The “Guidance Note for Block Monitoring Visits” advises state and district health officers and their development partners to systematically assess the health infrastructure, human resources, and quality and coverage of RMNCH+A information and services, with the goal of identifying and addressing …

India accounts for one-fifth, or approximately 26 million, of the world’s annual births. Since 1990, India’s infant mortality rate (IMR) has declined steadily, but the neonatal mortality rate (NMR) has stagnated. One third of all infant deaths worldwide continue to occur in India each year. India currently accounts for 29% of all first day deaths globally, approximately 300,000 per year. …

The Government of India’s Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) strategy, launched in 2013, seeks to meet the needs of women and their children at all life stages and across the continuum of care. Meeting this ambitious goal requires a robust and realistic action plan and strong leadership at the state level. Government of Punjab, which has already …

A rapid assessment was conducted in Uttarakhand to assess gaps in availability, accessibility, utilization, and quality and to ensure availability of essential commodities under the RMNCH+A 5×5 matrix. Assessment results provided an adequate evidence base to draw facility improvement plans addressing key gaps through short- and mid-term actions.