Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring & Evaluation (PICME) Healthcare initiative

By /

Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring & Evaluation (PICME) is a vital healthcare initiative by the Government of Tamil Nadu, designed to support underprivileged communities and farming families by ensuring proper maternal and child healthcare. This digital tracking system monitors pregnancies from the first trimester until the child reaches five years of age, providing timely medical interventions, immunization reminders, and nutritional support. For poor and rural families, PICME offers free access to essential services like antenatal check-ups, institutional delivery assistance, and postnatal care, reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.

Additionally, it simplifies birth registration, ensuring children receive legal documentation for education and government benefits. Through schemes like Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme and Amma Baby Care Kit, PICME provides financial aid and essential supplies to economically disadvantaged mothers. By linking beneficiaries to Anganwadi centers and ASHA workers, the program ensures continuous healthcare support, making it a lifeline for Tamil Nadu’s marginalized and farming communities to connect with Agriculture News

Evolution of PICME: Phases of Implementation

The Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring & Evaluation (PICME) system in Tamil Nadu has evolved through three transformative phases since its inception. 

Phase 1 (2010-2012) began as a pilot project in high-risk districts like Dharmapuri, focusing on digitizing maternal health records and linking antenatal care to Anganwadi centres. 

Phase 2 (2013-2016) expanded statewide, introducing real-time data tracking, high-risk pregnancy management, and integration with maternity benefit schemes like the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy initiative, significantly improving institutional delivery rates.

The current Phase 3 (2017-present) leverages advanced technologies like AI analytics and mobile apps for ASHA workers, enabling predictive healthcare, telemedicine in tribal areas, and near-universal immunization coverage. Each phase has systematically addressed rural healthcare gaps—from basic digitization in Phase 1 to today’s integrated ecosystem connecting 12 lakh annual pregnancies to life-saving interventions. This phased rollout, backed by robust policy and tech adoption, has made PICME a national model for maternal-child health, particularly for Tamil Nadu’s farming communities and economically vulnerable groups.

Why Was PICME Started?

The PICME program was launched under the National Health Mission (NHM) to address high maternal and infant mortality rates in India, particularly in rural areas. Before PICME, many pregnant women lacked proper antenatal care, leading to complications and preventable deaths.

Key Reasons for PICME’s Introduction:

  1. High Maternal & Infant Mortality: Many farming communities lacked access to proper healthcare, leading to deaths during childbirth or infancy.
  2. Lack of Systematic Tracking: There was no centralized system to monitor pregnancies and infant health, leading to missed vaccinations and malnutrition.
  3. Difficulty in Accessing Schemes: Many eligible families were unaware of or unable to claim government benefits.
  4. Need for Birth Certificates: Without proper documentation, children faced difficulties in education and availing future benefits.

PICME was designed to digitize health records, ensure continuous care, and link beneficiaries to welfare schemes, making healthcare more accessible for rural and farming families.

Key Benefits of PICME for Farmers and Their Families

1. Continuous Healthcare Support

  • Regular Health Check-ups: Pregnant women receive antenatal care (ANC), postnatal visits, and infant immunization tracking.
  • Nutritional Support: Supplementary nutrition through Anganwadi centers and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).
  • Vaccination Reminders: Ensures infants receive all mandatory vaccines on time.

2. Mandatory for Birth Certificate

  • PICME registration automatically generates a birth certificate, crucial for school admissions, Aadhaar, and other government schemes.
  • Farmers no longer need to visit multiple offices; the process is streamlined.

3. Access to Government Schemes

  • Eligible families can avail:
    • PMMVY (₹5,000 financial assistance for pregnant women)
    • Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) (Cash assistance for institutional deliveries)
    • Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) (Nutrition for mothers and children)

4. High-Risk Pregnancy Monitoring

  • PICME identifies high-risk pregnancies (e.g., anemia, hypertension) and ensures specialized care.
  • Emergency referrals to hospitals if complications arise.

5. How to Register a Woman for PICME?

  • Step 1: Visit the nearest Anganwadi center, ASHA worker, or Primary Health Centre (PHC).
  • Step 2: Provide Aadhaar card, mobile number, and pregnancy details.
  • Step 3: The health worker registers the woman in the PICME portal.
  • Step 4: Receive a PICME ID for tracking health records and benefits.

6. Financial Assistance Under PICME

  • PMMVY: ₹5,000 in three instalments for pregnant women.
  • JSY: Up to ₹1,400 (rural) and ₹1,000 (urban) for institutional delivery.
  • State-specific schemes: Additional benefits depending on the state.

Final Remarks

PICME is a lifeline for farming families, safeguarding healthcare, financial aid, and documentation without bureaucratic hurdles. By registering early, pregnant women can secure better health outcomes for themselves and their children, while also accessing government schemes effortlessly.

Farmers should spread awareness about PICME in their communities to ensure no mother or child is left behind. For more details, visit your nearest Anganwadi or PHC today and Learn more. …

FAQs on PICME

  1. What is PICME?
    • A digital system for tracking maternal and child health from pregnancy until age five.
  2. Who can register under PICME?
    • All pregnant women and infants in India, especially in rural areas.
  3. Is PICME mandatory?
    • Yes, for accessing government maternity and child health benefits.
  4. How does PICME help farmers?
    • Ensures healthcare, financial aid, and birth certificates without travel hassles.
  5. Is there any cost for PICME registration?
    • No, it’s free.
  1. Where can I register for PICME?
    • At Anganwadi centres, ASHA workers, or PHCs.
  2. What documents are needed?
    • Aadhaar, mobile number, and pregnancy confirmation.
  3. Can I register online?
    • No, only through authorized health workers.
  4. What if I don’t have an Aadhaar card?
    • Alternative IDs like ration cards may be accepted.
  1. Does PICME cover vaccinations?
    • Yes, it tracks all mandatory immunizations.
  2. What if my pregnancy is high-risk?
    • PICME ensures extra check-ups and hospital referrals.
  3. How does PICME help with birth certificates?
    • Automatically generates them after hospital delivery.
  4. Can I get financial help under PICME?
    • Yes, through PMMVY and JSY.
  1. Does PICME track child health after birth?
    • Yes, until the child turns five.
  2. What if I miss a vaccination?
    • ASHA workers will remind you via calls or visits.
  3. Does PICME provide nutrition support?
    • Yes, through Anganwadi centres.
  1. What if my PICME details are wrong?
    • Inform the ASHA worker for corrections.
  2. Can I change my registered hospital?
    • Yes, update through the health worker.
  3. What if I move to another state?
    • Health records can be transferred via the PICME portal.
  4. How to check my PICME Registration status?

Ask the ASHA worker or visit the nearest PHC.

Scroll to Top