Andhra Pradesh Plans AI Newborn Growth Monitoring System

Andhra Pradesh plans to introduce an AI-powered system for monitoring the health and growth of newborn babies. The initiative will integrate the Shishu Maapan application, developed by the Wadhwani AI Foundation, with the mobile application used by ASHA workers.

AI-based newborn measurement system

The system uses a mobile phone video to capture newborn measurements without physical contact. It can record weight, height, head circumference, chest circumference, and mid-upper arm measurements.

Pilot project in Mangalagiri constituency

A pilot project is underway in the Mangalagiri constituency and covers about 1,000 newborns. The pilot areas include urban health centres in Indiranagar, Kopparao Colony, Kaza, and Yerrabalem, along with the Pedavadlapudi Primary Health Centre.

Training and data collection process

Training programmes for ASHA workers and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives began in the pilot areas on 6 and 7 June 2026. The videos and health measurements collected during the pilot will be used to train the AI system and build a local database.

Important Facts for Exams

• ASHA stands for Accredited Social Health Activist, and ASHA workers are part of India’s community health system.
• Auxiliary Nurse Midwives, or ANMs, provide maternal and child health services at the primary care level.
• Head circumference and mid-upper arm circumference are standard anthropometric measurements used in child health assessment.
• Andhra Pradesh is using a pilot model before possible expansion of the system across the state.

Expansion timeline

The AI integration and data training phase is expected to take about three months. After this phase, the system may be expanded across Andhra Pradesh.