In the village of Aruapalli, Odisha, young mother Jhili Rout holds her healthy newborn with tears of joy and gratitude. Her story represents a beautiful transformation happening across rural India, where access to quality healthcare is finally becoming a reality rather than a distant dream.

Five years ago, when Jhili was pregnant with her first child, obtaining two ultrasound scans cost her family 1,600 rupees—a significant burden for her husband, an agricultural laborer supporting a family of eight. He had to borrow money from his employer just to afford these essential medical tests. For this recent pregnancy, however, everything changed. Jhili received three free ultrasound scans, allowing her to monitor her baby's health without financial worry. Today, both mother and child are thriving.

This heartwarming transformation is thanks to the Nirikhyana initiative, a visionary program spearheaded by IAS officer Dibyajyoti Parida in Ganjam district. Since its formal launch in 2023, this innovative healthcare scheme has touched the lives of an incredible 138,000 pregnant women, providing them with free ultrasound services and peace of mind during one of life's most precious journeys.

The inspiration for Nirikhyana came from Parida's extensive field visits after joining as District Collector in July 2022. He discovered that diagnostic services were concentrated in urban areas, forcing rural women to travel up to 75 kilometers for a single ultrasound scan. Recognizing this critical gap, Parida envisioned a solution that would bring healthcare to the people, rather than making them travel impossible distances.

The brilliance of Nirikhyana lies in its thoughtful design. Through a Public Private Partnership approach, the program has enlisted 42 government and private clinics to provide up to three free ultrasound scans to every pregnant woman. This collaborative model has exponentially expanded access to essential healthcare services.

But Parida didn't stop at merely increasing availability. Working alongside Sub-Collector Dheenah Dastageer, the team developed the Nirikhyana mobile application—a technological marvel that serves as the program's backbone. This innovative app connects pregnant mothers, doctors, and diagnostic centers, enabling seamless communication and real-time monitoring. Auxiliary Nurse Midwives can register pregnant women through the app, doctors can review cases remotely, and referrals to nearby ultrasound clinics happen instantly.

The impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. The structured three-tier system enables healthcare workers to identify high-risk pregnancies 20 to 25 days before delivery, allowing for timely interventions that save lives. Most remarkably, neonatal deaths in the district have been cut in half within just two years—a testament to the power of accessible, quality healthcare.

For women like Jhili, who followed medical advice to maintain proper nutrition and iron levels throughout her pregnancy, the program provided more than just scans—it offered expert guidance, reassurance, and hope. When her doctor confirmed that her baby was healthy and positioned normally, Jhili could focus on her wellbeing without the crushing anxiety of unaffordable medical costs.

The Nirikhyana initiative stands as an inspiring example of how dedicated public servants, innovative technology, and community collaboration can create meaningful change. By bridging the healthcare divide, this program is ensuring that every mother, regardless of economic status or geographic location, can experience the joy of a safe, healthy pregnancy and the precious gift of a thriving newborn.