Project BLOOM from Lunglei District Presented at NITI Aayog’s Best Practices Seminar

Lunglei, Aug 2025: The District Administration of Lunglei earned national recognition today as its flagship maternal and child health initiative—Project BLOOM—was presented at the ‘Best Practices Seminar’ organised by NITI Aayog at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

The event celebrated successful interventions from 329 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks across the country. Under the theme “Transforming Health: Breakthrough Interventions”, Lunglei Deputy Commissioner Ms. Navneet Mann presented ‘Project BLOOM (Better Living through Outreach, Optimal Maternal and Child Health)’ as one of the 19 selected best practices.

Launched on June 17, 2025, Project BLOOM addresses maternal and child health challenges in Lungsen Aspirational Block of Lunglei District, Mizoram. The region, with its difficult terrain, high logistical costs, limited internet access and awareness gaps, had long struggled with low health indicators. Project BLOOM aims to close these gaps through a community-driven, convergence-based approach that integrates health, nutrition, transport and behaviour change.

#Key Interventions of Project BLOOM:

SafeWombWheels: An on-call transport service prioritising high-risk pregnancies and remote villages, ensuring referrals to the District Hospital when needed.

Maternity Waiting Rooms: 12 temporary homestays near delivery points hosted by villagers, offering accommodation and support until delivery, with incentives provided to host families.

House-to-House Surveys: Conducted by VHSNCs to identify pregnant women and malnourished children (SAM/MAM), helping build a single data-source for interventions.

BLOOM Gift Baskets: Incentives promoting early antenatal care (ANC) registration and institutional deliveries, including nutrition and hygiene kits.

Community Awareness Campaigns: Targeted outreach to men, job card holders, SHGs, and religious leaders to promote maternal health practices.

SAM/MAM Elimination: Monitoring and follow-up with ₹5,000 worth of nutrition support based on prescribed diet charts.

Immunisation Drives: Targeting hard-to-reach villages with micro-planning and convergence with Mission Indradhanush.

High-Risk Pregnancy Tracking: Special follow-ups and timely referrals through outreach camps under the PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan.

Capacity Building: Regular training for ASHAs, Anganwadi and Health Workers, and local dais, with a focus on skilled birth assistance.

#Impact and Outcomes:

Project BLOOM has brought about a significant transformation in the maternal and child health landscape of Lungsen Block:

Institutional Deliveries increased from 14.73% in March 2023 to 43.14% in March 2025, and surged to 72.2% by June–July 2025, crossing the 70% mark for the first time.

Early ANC Registration (First Trimester) improved from 50.6% (March 2023) to 68.14% (March 2025), and further to 70% (July 2025).

Pregnant Women Receiving Supplementary Nutrition under ICDS rose from 11.3% (March 2023) to 81.9% (July 2025).

Children (6 months–6 years) Receiving Supplementary Nutrition increased from 6.16% to 75% during the same period.

Vaccination Achievement climbed from 63.8% (June–July 2023) to 88.9% (June–July 2025).

As per the most recent house-to-house survey:

133 pregnant women were identified.
116 women had registered for ANC.
30 SAM/MAM children were identified.
715 children and 72 pregnant women were found regularly availing supplementary nutrition at Anganwadi Centres.

#About Lungsen Block:

Lungsen is one of the four rural development blocks in Lunglei District, Mizoram. Covering an area of 424.04 sq. km, it has a population of 18,637, with three communities—Mizo, Chakma, and Bru—living peacefully. The block comprises 24 Village Councils, 3,903 ST households, 1 PHC, 7 HWCs, 1 Health Sub-Centre, and 44 Anganwadi Centres.

#Conclusion:

Through Project BLOOM, Lunglei District demonstrates how convergence, innovation, and community participation can transform health outcomes in remote and challenging regions. By nurturing healthier mothers and children, BLOOM is laying the foundation for stronger, more resilient communities in Mizoram.