Reproductive & Child Health (RCH)

REPRODUCTIVE & CHILD HEALTH PROGRAMMES (RCH), MIZORAM

A. Introduction: Health & Family Welfare Programme started in India in 1951, with the National Family Planning Programme. The Family Planning Programme focused mainly on terminal methods with a view to control over population growth. As a result, it received set back owing to rigid implementation of target-based approach. The experiences gained throughout the country revealed that improvement of the health of women in the reproductive age group and children (up to 5 years) is of crucial importance to reduce the problem of population growth. This realization led to change in the approach from Family Planning to Family Welfare. Since the 7th Plan implemented during 1984 – 89, the Family Welfare programme have evolved on the health needs of mothers and children, as well as on providing contraceptives and spacing services to the targeted group. The main objective of Family Welfare programme has been to stabilize the population at level of the need of the country’s development.

In 1997, the Government of India followed up the International recommendation on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) as a National Programme. RCH programme integrates all the related programmes of the eight plan and it aims to bring all RCH services easily available for the community.
Accordingly, RCH Programme has been started in Mizoram since mid 1998. Various Maternal and Child Health Schemes have been implemented. In addition to these, Mizoram was included among the selected 24 districts of 17 states for the implementation of RCH Sub-Project (Area Project). The Sub-Project covered the entire state of Mizoram and it was mainly concerned with Infrastructure development of rural health care. The RCH Sub-project had come to an end on 31st March 2004.

Since the Schemes which had been implemented during RCH I were mostly concerned with rural health, the GoI has approved Urban Health Project for Aizawl and Lunglei towns since January 2004. Consequently, Other District capitals are also to take up under Urban health project for which proposals have already been submitted to Government of India.

RCH I has technically ended on 31st March 2004. The Government of India has however extended one year Interim period for preparation of project implementation plan (PIP) for RCH II. Since there have been improvements in the areas of services provided to some extent during RCH I, the Government of India decided to continue RCH phase II so that the targeted group may get better health at maximum level.

B. Objectives of the programme 

The vision of RCH programme is to bring about outcomes as envisages in the National Population policy 2000 (NPP-2000), the National population policy 2002, minimizing the regional variations in the areas of Reproductive and Child Health and population stabilization through integrated, focused, participatory programme, meeting the unmet demands of the target population and provision of assured, equitable, responsive quality services. RCH programme focuses on reduction of Maternal Mortality Ratio, Infant Mortality Rate and Total Fertility Rate. It also aims to increase the couple protection rate and coverage of child immunization. The goals are -

1. To reduce Maternal Mortality Ratio from 60 (State Report) to 55
2. To reduce Infant Mortality Rate from 34 (NFHS-3) to 25
3. To reduce Total Fertility Rate from 2.9 (NFHS-3) to 2.5

ACHIEVEMENT DURING 2025-26 : Under Construction.

ACHIEVEMENT DURING 2024-25

During the financial year 2024–25, Mizoram has made commendable progress in maternal and child health indicators under the National Health Mission (NHM). The state’s focused interventions, strong community engagement and consistent monitoring have contributed to the following notable achievements:

1. The latest Sample Registration System (SRS May 2025) data was acknowledged as a major milestone, with Mizoram achieving an Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of 4 — the lowest in the country, alongside Manipur and Sikkim. The accomplishment was lauded as a reflection of effective programme implementation.
2. ANC Registration: Mizoram achieved 90% registration of pregnant women for Antenatal Care (ANC), ensuring early identification and monitoring of pregnancies.
3. 1st Trimester Registration: 80% of pregnant women were registered within the 1st trimester, contributing to timely interventions and improved maternal and fetal outcomes.
4. 4 or More ANC Coverage: 67% of pregnant women received four or more ANC visits, reflecting increased awareness, improved outreach and service delivery.
5. Institutional Deliveries: The state reached a remarkable 91% institutional delivery rate, ensuring safer births under trained health professionals.
6. Sex Ratio: The Sex Ratio stood at 957 per 1000 females, which is considered a healthy demographic indicator and compares well with national figures.
7. Reduction in Neonatal Mortality Rate (NNMR): Mizoram successfully reduced NNMR to 9 per 1,000 live births in 2024–25, down from 10 in 2023–24.
8. Reduction in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): The IMR was brought down to 14 per 1,000 live births, showing steady improvement from 16 in the previous year.
9. Reduction in Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR): U5MR was reduced to 19 per 1,000 live births, compared to 20 in 2023–24, indicating progress in child survival.
10. Maternal Deaths: A total of 18 maternal deaths were reported. While this reflects ongoing improvements in maternal care, further efforts are needed to strengthen emergency obstetric care and reduce preventable maternal mortality.
11. Launch of Kilkari: Mizoram successfully launched Kilkari, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. Kilkari is a mobile voice messaging service that delivers timely, culturally appropriate information on pregnancy, childbirth and child care to families, particularly targeting pregnant women and new mothers.
12. National Deworming Day Coverage: The state achieved 99% coverage during National Deworming Day, contributing to improved nutritional outcomes and reduced parasitic infections among children.
13. Stop Diarrhoea Campaign: With 99% coverage, Mizoram ensured effective implementation of the Stop Diarrhoea campaign, focusing on ORS-Zinc distribution and hygiene promotion.
14. Family Planning Logistics Management Information System (FPLMIS): The operational status of FPLMIS stood at 78%, reflecting growing digital integration in supply chain management of contraceptives and family planning commodities.
15. RCH Portal Registration: The state achieved 93% registration of pregnant women and 98% of child registration on the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Portal. This enabled effective tracking and service delivery. Mizoram also successfully met the Conditionalities Framework of NHM 2024–25, reinforcing the efficiency of its health data systems and governance.

These achievements highlight Mizoram’s commitment towards improving maternal and child health and its progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Continued focus on quality of care, digital health initiatives, and equity in access will be key to sustaining these gains.

ACHIEVEMENT DURING 2022-23

PHYSICAL ACHIEVEMENT OF RCH 2021-22

(Source : State NHM-HMIS )

Achievement during 2018-19        

Following the guidelines and recommendations of Government of India to reduce Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), the following activities and strategies have been adopted by Health & Family Welfare Department, Mizoram to promote Maternal and Child Health, to reduce IMR & MMR and eventually to contribute to attainment of SDG 3.

• To reduce MMR to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030
• To end preventable deaths of newborns to at least as low as 12/1000 live births and deaths of children less than 5 years to at least as low as 25 deaths per 1000 live births.