In partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), and state governments of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan, UNFPA India works to advance comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, including maternal health and family planning programs.

Towards Zero Unmet Need for Family Planning

UNFPA India is dedicated to promoting the advancement of choice and rights-based family planning in the country. By enhancing the accessibility, affordability, and quality of family planning services, the aim is to contribute to the realisation of reproductive rights and the empowerment of individuals to make informed choices regarding their reproductive health. As a co-convener of the FP2030 partnership, UNFPA supported the development of India’s FP2030 vision and is actively involved in achieving national commitments.

Our efforts include:

1. Expanding the basket of choice: Facilitating the introduction of hormonal injectable contraceptives, including the Antara injection. Building on this success, UNFPA continues to support the expansion of contraceptive options nationwide, including the procurement & rolling out of two newer contraceptives, Injections DMPA-SC and single-rod Implants in Rajasthan and Odisha.
2. Policy and program support: Providing technical assistance for effective implementation of family planning policies and programs at the national and state levels.
3. Partnership building: Collaborating with government agencies, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• UNFPA collaborates with family planning partners to support India's commitments to the FP2030 global partnership. By working with state health departments, UNFPA helps develop and implement FP 2030 state roadmaps, ensuring a unified approach to advancing family planning nationwide.

Towards Zero Maternal Deaths

UNFPA supports the Government of India's efforts to accelerate reduction of maternal mortality ratio (MMR) through:

1. Supporting national flagship programmes: Providing technical and programmatic support for LaQshya (Labour Room and Maternity OT Standards) and SUMAN (Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan) programmes to improve maternal and newborn care. This includes strengthening Maternal Death Surveillance and Review (MDSR) processes in select districts across four states.
2. Quality improvement: Promoting quality standards and evidence-based practices in maternal health services.
3. Data analysis: Using in-depth analysis and maternal death audits to review maternal deaths, identify gaps in service delivery and inform targeted interventions.
4. Midwifery development: Strengthening midwifery education and training to improve maternal and newborn care:

• Accelerating the MoHFW's midwifery services initiative by developing strategies and guidelines, and strengthening the midwifery component in nursing education
• Providing technical support for operationalizing National Midwifery Training Institutes (NMTIs), including the development of the third and fourth such institutes in Patiala and Udaipur.
• Establishing Virtual Reality-based simulation training labs at the NMTIs to equip midwifery educators with skills in conducting deliveries in alternative birthing positions and active management of the third stage of labour (AMTSL).
• Supporting the launch of selected State Midwifery Training Institutes (SMTIs) in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar.

Ensuring Reproductive Health Under Universal Health Coverage

UNFPA’s high-quality technical support has enhanced maternal, family planning, and adolescent health services in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan, key states for achieving Universal Health Coverage.

More than 90% of health facilities in UNFPA's 12 priority districts now offer at least five types of reversible contraceptives and safe delivery care.

Building on the success of a pilot project in Gujarat, UNFPA has integrated sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV services in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.

By working closely with government partners and other stakeholders, UNFPA India is committed to improving the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and young people in India.