Mother & Child Tracking System

The Mother & Child Tracking System (MCTS) is a digital health initiative introduced in India to monitor and improve the delivery of maternal, newborn, and child health services. Designed to strengthen public health management, the system tracks pregnant women and children up to the age of five, ensuring timely provision of essential healthcare interventions. MCTS supports service providers in offering systematic antenatal care, safe delivery assistance, postnatal care, immunisation, and nutritional services. By enabling targeted outreach and reducing service gaps, the system contributes significantly to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCH+A) outcomes.
The initiative forms part of India’s broader efforts to enhance healthcare accessibility, reduce preventable mortality, and establish robust public health information systems. It offers an organised, technology-based approach to tracking health indicators and service utilisation across diverse regions.

Background and Objectives

Launched under the National Health Mission, the Mother & Child Tracking System emerged from the need to address gaps in maternal and child health services. High maternal and infant mortality rates, coupled with logistical challenges in rural and urban areas, necessitated a reliable monitoring mechanism.
Primary objectives include:

• Monitoring high-risk pregnancies and ensuring timely interventions.
• Improving service delivery for antenatal, intranatal, and postnatal care.
• Ensuring complete immunisation and growth monitoring for children.
• Providing a centralised database for health planning and resource allocation.
• Supporting frontline health workers through organised scheduling and reminders.

The system integrates field-level inputs with centralised data management, enabling informed decision-making.

Structure and Components of the System

The MCTS operates through an online, web-based digital platform that records and monitors service delivery.
Key components include:
Registration and Data Entry

• Pregnant women and newborns are registered by health workers such as ASHAs and ANMs.
• Data include demographic details, expected delivery dates, service records, and immunisation schedules.

Tracking and Follow-up Services

• Automated work plans assist health workers in providing timely interventions.
• The system flags pending services and overdue visits.

Database and Reporting Mechanism

• Centralised dashboards provide health officials with real-time insights.
• Monthly and annual reports support programme evaluation and policy formulation.

Communication Tools

• SMS alerts and reminders are sent to beneficiaries and health workers to ensure service compliance.
• Messages include appointment reminders, vaccination schedules, and Mother & Child Protection (MCP) card updates.

This integrated framework enhances coordination between community workers, health facilities, and administrators.

Services Tracked Under MCTS

The system covers a spectrum of maternal and child health services.
Maternal Health Services

• Registration during the first trimester
• Antenatal check-ups, including blood tests and blood pressure monitoring
• Nutritional counselling and iron–folic acid supplementation
• Identification of high-risk pregnancies
• Institutional delivery planning
• Postnatal care, including breastfeeding counselling

Child Health Services

• Birth registration and immediate newborn care
• Immunisation schedule tracking
• Vitamin A supplementation and nutrition monitoring
• Growth assessment and early detection of developmental delays
• Management of childhood illnesses and referrals

These services align with national guidelines on RMNCH+A care.

Significance for Health Workers and Administrators

The Mother & Child Tracking System plays an essential role in supporting public health personnel.
For frontline workers (ASHAs, ANMs):

• Facilitates systematic home visits and outreach.
• Reduces the risk of missing critical health check-ups.
• Enhances accuracy in maintaining health records.

For administrators and planners:

• Provides reliable data for identifying resource gaps.
• Helps assess coverage of maternal and child health programmes.
• Supports targeted interventions in vulnerable areas.

This data-driven approach underpins government efforts to strengthen health outcomes.

Benefits to Mothers and Children

The system ensures improved access to essential healthcare services.

• Ensures early registration and continuous monitoring of pregnant women.
• Reduces delays in receiving essential maternal care.
• Promotes safe delivery practices through timely counselling and referral.
• Ensures full immunisation for children and reduces preventable diseases.
• Enhances community awareness on nutrition, hygiene, and health practices.

By reducing missed opportunities for care, MCTS contributes to lowering maternal and infant mortality.

Challenges and Implementation Issues

Despite its progress, the MCTS faces several operational challenges.

• Lack of uniform digital infrastructure in remote regions.
• Incomplete or delayed data entry due to manpower constraints.
• Variability in internet connectivity affecting real-time updates.
• Training needs for health workers to maintain accuracy.
• Need for integration with emerging digital health initiatives.

Addressing these challenges is vital for ensuring the system’s long-term effectiveness.

Improvements and Integration with e-Health Platforms

The Mother & Child Tracking System has evolved with technological advancements.
Recent developments include:

• Improved data management through updated dashboards.
• Integration with digital health platforms such as the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal.
• Enhanced mobile-based applications for field-level workers.
• Linkages with national identification systems for accurate verification.

These improvements support India’s broader digital health mission.

Contemporary Relevance

The MCTS remains a cornerstone of maternal and child health monitoring in India. Its role has expanded in the context of:

• Strengthening universal health coverage
• Supporting digital health transformation
• Enhancing health system resilience
• Addressing gaps in rural and urban health service delivery