35 Birth Waiting Homes for Tribal Women to Boost Safe Deliveries in AP

Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav on Tuesday announced the construction of 35 new birth waiting homes for tribal pregnant women across seven Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) in the state. The initiative aims to provide care at least a week before delivery , reducing hardships and ensuring safer institutional deliveries in remote tribal regions.

Speaking in an official statement, Yadav said, "Pregnant women from remote areas will be brought to these centres in advance to avoid transportation and health-related difficulties during delivery."

The construction cost for the 35 centres is over ₹12 crore , with 15 units in Paderu ITDA and four units each in Rampachodavaram, Parvathipuram, Chinturu, Srisailam, and Kota Ramachandrapuram . Officials said 22 centres are expected to be completed by May–June, two more by July, and the remaining by year-end 2026.

Currently, 76 birth waiting homes function across the seven ITDAs in collaboration with government hospitals , of which 41 operate in their own buildings while construction continues for the others. Each building has eight rooms , including four with attached toilets, along with a common kitchen, recreation room, reception, and store room. The facilities can accommodate four pregnant women and their attendants at a time under supervision of ITDA officials with National Health Mission (NHM) funds .

The centres are linked to 27 Primary Health Centres, six Community Health Centres, and two area hospitals , with ongoing works at locations including Mondemkhalu, Buttayagudem, and Ratnapuram . Pregnant women receive ₹200 per day for food, while attendants are provided ₹200 for food and ₹200 as wage compensation.

During the 2025–26 financial year , about 11,000 women benefited from the centres, while 9,500 women have availed services so far this year. Once all constructions are completed, around 13,000 pregnant women are expected to benefit annually.