Uttarakhand to launch Supraja Centres in 13 districts with Rs 1.30 crore aid

Dehradun: In a major push to strengthen maternal and child healthcare, the Uttarakhand government has announced plans to establish Supraja Centres in all districts to provide Ayurveda-based antenatal care aimed at promoting safe and normal deliveries. 

The initiative has received financial approval of Rs 1.30 crore from the Central Government, with Rs 10 lakh allocated for each of the 13 proposed centres across the state. 

The district-level centres will offer pregnant women guidance on prenatal nutrition, healthy lifestyle practices, and daily routine, along with access to Panchakarma-based supportive care under the AYUSH system. According to the state government, the initiative is intended to improve maternal and child health outcomes while encouraging evidence-informed preventive care during pregnancy.  

According to officials, the programme seeks to reduce the need for caesarean deliveries by promoting appropriate dietary practices and lifestyle measures during pregnancy. Experts associated with the initiative believe that timely adoption of proper antenatal care and nutrition may help lower the likelihood of complications requiring surgical intervention in selected cases, reports Amar Ujala.

The announcement forms part of Uttarakhand's broader strategy to expand AYUSH services and improve access to Ayurveda-based healthcare across the state.

In addition to the Supraja Centres, the government has identified Munikireti, Balwakot and Laubanj in Kausani for the development of new wellness centres. These facilities will include private rooms, and the state plans to spend Rs 1 crore on the project. The government has stated that the initiative aligns with its goal of positioning Uttarakhand as a hub for yoga and wellness while also supporting health tourism.

The state has also approved the establishment of AYUSH wings in the Government Allopathic Hospitals at Pauri, Bageshwar and Tehri. Each AYUSH wing will receive Rs 25 lakh in funding and is expected to provide patients with access to Ayurveda services alongside conventional allopathic treatment.

Commenting on the initiative, AYUSH Minister Shri Madan Kaushik said the government is upgrading Ayurveda hospitals and expanding AYUSH infrastructure to improve healthcare delivery. He added that the newly proposed Supraja Centres will, for the first time, provide district-level support to pregnant women through counselling on diet, lifestyle and prenatal care using Ayurveda-based approaches.