OP-ED                                                                                                                        A Contributor

THE LUNGSEN ASPIRATIONAL BLOCK (Mizoram) has witnessed remarkable improvements in maternal and child health outcomes, thanks to a series of targeted interventions under the Aspirational Block Programme and the recently launched Project BLOOM (Better Living through Outreach, Optimal Maternal & Child Health).

One of the most notable achievements is the sharp rise in institutional deliveries — from just 14.73% in March 2023 to 43.14% in March 2025. Since the launch of Project BLOOM in June 2025, institutional deliveries have surged further to 72.2% in the June–July 2025 period crossing the 70% mark for the first time. 

This transformation has been driven by the successful implementation of multiple initiatives including the Safe Womb Wheels transport service, maternity waiting rooms, BLOOM special gift baskets, intensive house-to-house surveys, immunisation saturation drives and sustained community awareness campaigns.

Moreover early antenatal care (ANC) registration has seen steady progress. The percentage of women registering for ANC in the first trimester has risen from 50.6% in March 2023 to 65.38% in June–July 2025, aided significantly by the incentive-based BLOOM gift baskets scheme.

Under the leadership of the District Administration, line departments, health staff and anganwadi workers continue to intensify efforts to sustain and build on this progress, aiming for holistic improvement in health and nutrition indicators across the Block.

July 26, 2025