Maternal and Neonatal Health
Full Form of MNH
What is MNH?
Maternal and Neonatal Health (MNH) refers to the continuum of care provided to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, as well as to newborns during the first 28 days of life. In India, MNH is a critical public health priority due to persistently high maternal and neonatal mortality rates, especially in rural and underserved areas. The government implements several programmes under the National Health Mission (NHM) to improve MNH outcomes, including Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), and the LaQshya initiative. These schemes focus on institutional deliveries, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care, and newborn resuscitation. MNH services are delivered through primary health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs), and district hospitals, often supported by ASHA workers. The term is widely used by healthcare professionals, policymakers, and development organisations like UNICEF and WHO in their India reports. For competitive exams such as UPSC, SSC, and NEET, MNH is a frequently tested topic under health and social welfare sections, requiring candidates to understand its components, challenges, and government interventions. Improving MNH is crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (good health and well-being) and reducing India’s burden of maternal and child mortality.
MNH का फुल फॉर्म
मातृ एवं नवजात स्वास्थ्य
Example
The state government launched a new mobile health clinic to boost MNH services in remote tribal blocks.