The Madhya Pradesh government is set to take a digital leap in maternal healthcare with the launch of an AI-generated chatbot named SUMAN SAKHI. The initiative, introduced under the National Health Mission (NHM), aims to provide pregnant women with timely health-related guidance and information about government schemes.

According to officials, the chatbot will act as a digital companion, helping beneficiaries access crucial details about maternal care, government programs, and social welfare schemes directly on their phones. The state government believes this move will ensure faster delivery of information and strengthen trust in healthcare services.

Developed under NHM and MPSEDC

The chatbot has been designed by the National Health Mission, Madhya Pradesh, in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation (MPSEDC) under the Department of Science and Technology. The service is being rolled out in phases, beginning with districts that have higher maternal healthcare needs.

Available 24x7 in Hindi

Officials confirmed that Hindi will be the primary language of the chatbot, ensuring accessibility for both rural and urban users. Available round the clock, the service will enable women to seek health-related support without barriers of time or geography.

Future expansion

The chatbot is expected to expand beyond maternal health in later phases. Plans are in place to integrate information about other major government welfare schemes, and the service will also be made available through WhatsApp for wider reach.

The government expects that this AI-based initiative will not only improve service delivery but also bring greater transparency and accountability in healthcare.