Healthy Mothers, Hopeful Futures: Why India Must Prioritise Maternal Nutrition Now

Monday, April 7, marks World Health Day 2025. Its theme is ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures’, underscoring how ensuring a healthier start in life is a moral imperative & a developmental priority.

Representational image.

Source : Pixabay

On World Health Day 2025 — with the theme ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures’, the focus turns to one of the most powerful levers for change — maternal and newborn health. In India, where millions of women face nutritional deficits and inadequate pregnancy care, ensuring a healthier start in life is both a moral imperative and a developmental priority. Speaking to this critical issue, Madhavika Bajoria, Executive Director of Health Impact at AVPN — a network of social investors in Asia, comprising over 600 funders and resource providers across 33 markets — brought attention to bold, practical shifts needed in policy, community engagement, and funding to build a future where every mother and child not only survives, but thrives. 

1. Addressing Anaemia In Pregnant Women: Simple But Urgent Solutions

“India faces a stark reality: Over 50% of pregnant women are anaemic,” Madhavika Bajoria said. “To combat this, we need immediate, actionable steps.”

She highlighted three priorities: universal access to quality antenatal care, consistent provision of pregnancy supplements, and personalised nutritional counselling. In rural India, leveraging grassroots networks like ASHA and Anganwadi workers can be game-changing. Equipping them with the right tools and knowledge — including awareness of schemes like ‘Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana’ and ‘Supplementary Nutrition Programme’ — can make vital information accessible to the most underserved women.

2. One Big Fix For India’s Food System

Asked what one change in India’s food system could revolutionise maternal and newborn health, Bajoria said the “most impactful move would be to fuse maternal nutrition into existing health, WASH (water, sanitation, healthcare waste), and education infrastructures”. Drawing inspiration from Indonesia’s ‘Yayasan Kusuma Buana’ model, she noted that such holistic strategies had already reduced anaemia among factory workers by 20%.

“We need a system where every touchpoint — from school to community clinics — reinforces nutrition, and where funding is flexible and responsive,” she added.

3. The Most Underused Solution? Collaboration

According to Bajoria, one powerful yet underutilised solution is better coordination across sectors. India’s nutrition interventions are often silo-ed, leading to duplication and inefficiency.

The organisation’s ‘Nutrition Leaders Programme’, she said, “shows how high-net-worth individuals and faith-based foundations can support grassroots initiatives”. “Strategic partnerships can help address root causes of undernutrition, from funding to awareness,” she added.

4. How Digital Tools Can Close The Awareness Gap

In an age of increasing connectivity, digital tools hold immense potential. Bajoria highlighted ‘Kilkari’, a mobile service that sends health-related voice messages to pregnant and new mothers.

“Timely, accessible information empowers women to make better health decisions,” she said. Digital health platforms and telemedicine also allow rural women to consult with specialists, reducing the burden of long-distance travel and enabling proactive care.

5. What Next?

Bajoria suggested one bold move: pooled, collaborative funding from the government, private sector, and non-profits.

“India must invest in food fortification, nutrient supplementation, and supply chain improvements. Innovative models like blended finance can bring commercial capital into public health. AVPN, for instance, has committed $10 million over two years to tackle malnutrition in Asia.”

The writer is a senior independent journalist.