Jaipur, July 15 -- In the wake of a spate of maternal deaths reported from several districts, the Rajasthan government has ordered a five-day statewide health screening drive for all pregnant women from July 15 to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services and bring down the maternal mortality rate (MMR). The campaign will focus on intensive screening of pregnant women, identification and monitoring of high-risk pregnancies (HRPs), and ensuring timely medical intervention. The government has also warned that accountability will be fixed on ASHA workers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Community Health Officers (CHOs) and health officials for any negligence in antenatal care or regular health screening. The decision was taken during a statewide review meeting chaired by principal secretary, medical and health, Gayatri Rathore through video conference on Tuesday. Rathore said every maternal death was a matter of grave concern and stressed that ensuring quality healthcare from the early stages of pregnancy until childbirth and the postnatal period was the government's top priority. "Early identification and timely management of high-risk pregnancies are crucial in preventing maternal deaths," she said. The government has made at least four quality antenatal care (ANC) check-ups mandatory for every pregnant woman. During these visits, health workers will conduct blood pressure monitoring, haemoglobin estimation, weight measurement, urine examination, blood sugar tests and other essential investigations, while maintaining updated health records. The health department has also directed districts to establish a separate tracking system for high-risk pregnancies. Women suffering from anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, previous caesarean deliveries, twin pregnancies, severe bleeding or other obstetric complications will be identified and placed under continuous follow-up. As part of the new protocol, every maternal death reported in the state will undergo a preliminary review within 24 hours, followed by a detailed Maternal Death Review (MDR) as per national guidelines. Districts have also been directed to conduct weekly reviews of both high-risk pregnancies and maternal deaths and fix responsibility wherever lapses are detected. Rathore directed officials to ensure that no pregnant woman is deprived of antenatal check-ups, haemoglobin testing, immunisation or institutional delivery. She also instructed hospitals to maintain adequate stocks of life-saving medicines, blood, functional labour rooms, operation theatres and newborn resuscitation equipment. Reiterating the government's zero-tolerance approach, Rathore warned that strict action would be taken against any official or healthcare worker found negligent at any stage of maternal care. The screening campaign comes amid heightened scrutiny of maternal healthcare in Rajasthan following a series of maternal deaths reported in recent weeks from Bhilwara, Kota, Bikaner and Banswara, prompting the government to tighten monitoring and accountability across the public health system....