With the age of technology, healthcare services are now more widely available to its users, particularly to pregnant women in Tamil Nadu. The government of the state initiated the PICME 3.0 (Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation) program to provide a holistic approach with regard to the women’s and infant’s health care. This program ensures that pregnant women receive all that they are qualified for in relation to care and services.
What is PICME 3.0?
PICME 3.0 (Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation) is a superior online platform created by the Tamil Nadu Government as an improvement from the previous one and to ensure improved delivery of maternal and child health care services. This improved platform allows pregnant women and infants to be monitored more effectively, thereby providing the timely medical care and intervention needed. Every expectant mother is given a unique 12-digit RCH ID (Reproductive and Child Health ID) upon registration, which can be used to unlock a broad array of services offered by the government to provide antenatal care free of cost, institutional delivery, immunizations, and postnatal care. PICME 3.0 allows real-time tracking of pregnancies and coordination among all the healthcare workers for maternal and infant health, in a way that they benefit from their services It assists to enhance the health of mothers and children and to reduce maternal death. It assists to make all eligible women avail themselves fully of the government’s welfare programs such as Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy’s Maternity Benefit Scheme.
Key Features of PICME 3.0
PICME Parental mobile app. Women who require assistance in registering can get support from Primary Health Centers (PHCs) or government hospitals, or with the help of Village Health Nurses (VHNs). Once registered, the system can use the registration to keep track of clinical information and health data throughout the continuum of maternity care – both antenatal (ANC), postnatal care (PNC), and immunizations, as well as other general health indicators. The PICME program is further integrated with important government welfare programs such as the state government’s Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme, which GotoLombok provides monetary benefits for eligible mothers. Moreover, registrations through PICME also serve as the mandatory requirement to develop birth certificates for newborns, legitimizing newborn children with official documentation and their access to further benefits.
Benefits of Registering with PICME 3.0
- Medical Services at No Cost: Registered mothers have access to unlimited medical check-ups, prescriptions, and nutritional plays.
- Financial Assistance: Via the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme, eligible mothers can receive ₹18,000.
- Notifications/Reminders: The system will send an SMS reminder for the subsequent immunization or medical appointment.
- Emergency Health Services: The PICME Parental App has an SOS button that allows you to contact emergency health services immediately.
- Access to Information: Mothers will have access to information about care during pregnancy nutrition care during pregnancy and child-rearing practices.
How to Register on PICME 3.0
Online Self-Registration
- Go to the PICME portal.
- Click on “Pre-Registration by Public”.
- Enter the required details: name, address, Aadhaar number and delivery date.
- Submit the form to receive a 12-digit RCH ID by SMS.
Assisted Registration
- If online registration is not possible, expectant mothers can:
- Go to the nearest PHC or government hospital.
- Contact a Village Health Nurse for assistance.
You can also use e-Seva centers or get in touch with 102.
PICME Parental App: A Handy Tool for Mothers
The PICME Parental App greatly improves user experience with a variety of features that support the expectant mother and her family through their pregnancy experiences. The app has a dashboard where all registered users can view their health records and track their appointments and immunizations while keeping up with important medical follow-ups. The app is also bilingual, supporting Tamil and English, which contributes to the access of a larger demographic. Security is achieved by utilizing SMS-based authentication to protect personal health information better. The application functions as a comprehensive tracker and notification system, as well as a source of educational content with articles and informative tips related to pregnancy, maternal health and care of a newborn, which keeps users informed and prepared. Another important practicality the app provides is the ability to keep emergency contact numbers, allowing users to access vital supports in emergencies easily. Thus, the PICME Parental App provides users with convenience, security and education to assist them in their management of maternal and child healthcare.
Importance of PICME 3.0 in Maternal and Child Health
Picme 3.0 plays a crucial role in:
- Lowering Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates: Timely medical interventions and ongoing monitoring of a mother’s health during the course of the pregnancy and postnatal period assists the government and healthcare staff to find challenges and risk assessments related to health early on so that outcomes may improve after the delivery. By detecting risk and addressing it early in the prenatal and postnatal continuum of care process, we can significantly improve the chances of survival for mothers and babies, particularly so with remote or underserved populations.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: PICME 3.0 has the ability to collect, review, adminster and use large quantities of data pertaining to health from different content areas which can all assist the government to shape healthcare programming which is better directed and delivered. The use of relevant evidence, demonstrates a better allocation of healthcare services where people need it most, which breeds better strategies through public health.
- Women Empowerment: PICME 3.0 provides mothers with tools, reminders and information to manage their health, and the health of their baby. It leads to better awareness, self-reliance, and empowerment for mothers, allowing them to take better responsibility for self-care and optimal care for their babies before and after delivery.
Conclusion:
PICME 3.0 reflects the seriousness of Tamil Nadu towards child and maternal health. By embedding technology within health delivery systems, Tamil Nadu makes sure that all pregnant women are provided with the necessary care, attention, and benefits. If you are pregnant and happen to be in Tamil Nadu, enrolling with PICME 3.0 is a vital proactive measure to have a healthy and bountiful pregnancy journey.