Narayanpur, Sept. 24 -- In a region where dense forests, treacherous terrain, and decades of Naxal resistance once blocked basic infrastructure, the remote Abujhmarh belt of Narayanpur district is witnessing a major healthcare transformation. As Naxal influence recedes, developmental initiatives are reaching deep into these formerly inaccessible tribal hinterlands, making safe motherhood a reality for local women.

At one time, even laying a road for development was a challenge. Naxals opposed the construction of roads, bridges, culverts, buildings, and other developmental projects; the barrel of a Naxal gun seemed to stand in the way of every development effort.

Whether to fetch rations, obtain essential documents, or transport a sick p...