The Matrujyoti scheme of the Sundargarh District is one of the many initiatives by Sh. Nikhil Pavan Kalyan. Under the ‘Matrujyoti’ umbrella programme, ANC services were started on 09 November 2020, where four free Ultrasound tests and associate medical checkups are being facilitated. The aim is to promote institutional delivery, and bring down maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) in the district by making childbirth and motherhood safe for women of the district.

Matrujyoti Programme is helping in early detection of high risk pregnancies and thus reducing complications during childbirth. Under Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan has provision for providing one ultrasound facility free of cost to pregnant women, whereas under the Matrujyoti Programme, these scans are done at absolutely no cost and the pregnant women are also given incentives. Apart from Ultrasound test, the scheme covers haemoglobin and urine test with other routine checkups. These tests are carried out at District Headquarters Hospital, other Government hospitals and empanelled private health care centres and clinics across the district.

Over 28 thousand women are getting benefits under this programme, every year. The service has been a boon to safe motherhood, with more than 327 high-risk cases successfully handled by September 2021.

Sh. Nikhil Pavan Kalyan is a B.Tech graduate from the prestigious Mala viya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur. He has worked in Microsoft, TCS and Adobe India prior to joining UPSC. After joining UPSC, he has worked in Balangir, Ganjam, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal and Sundargarh District at various capacities.