MSD for Mothers, a global initiative that aims to reduce maternal mortality, announced the launch of an innovative programme in Rajasthan to establish a hospital network offering high-quality and affordable private maternal and child health (MCH) services. MSD for Mothers has partnered with the Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT) to work in 19 high-focus districts. During the course of the three-year project, 19 urban and 38 rural Merrygold Hospitals will be set-up along with training and deployment of more than 1000 village-based Merrytarang community health members.

MSD for Mothers is a 10-year, US$ 500 million global initiative launched in 2011 by MSD, known as Merck in the United States and Canada, to help create a world where no woman dies from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. The MSD for Mothers project will be run in 19 districts of Rajasthan – Alwar, Banswara, Baran, Barmer, Bharatpur, Bundi, Chittaurgarh, Churu, Dausa, Dhaulpur, Dungarpur, Jaisalmer, Jhalawar, Jodhpur, Karauli, Pali, Sawai Madhopur, Sirohi and Udaipur.

The project will focus on three main components viz Scaling up a sustainable network of “Merrygold” social franchise clinics and hospitals to increase access to hospitals and clinics in rural areas to provide access to affordable, quality care through the franchise network; Developing a network of more than 1,000 village-based “Merrytarang” community health workers to increase access to affordable, quality care through franchise network and Implementing behavior change communication and community outreach activities to generate demand for services
 
Geralyn S Ritter, senior vice president, global public policy & corporate responsibility at MSD said,  “The MSD for Mothers programme works towards improving maternal and child healthcare facilities, in India and globally. We are proud to have this opportunity to work with the Government of Rajasthan and HLFPPT to further strengthen the quality of intrapartum and immediate postpartum care, including postpartum family planning services. This programme will help in preventing the needless deaths of mothers. Given the key role that mothers play in the health of their families, the programme will also contribute towards improving the overall quality of healthcare in the state.”

K G Ananthakrishnan, managing director, MSD in India said: “A part of MSD’s core business values is commitment to doing good while doing well. Our Corporate Social Responsibility programme drives us to engage in activities to expand access to quality healthcare, and make a positive and sustainable impact on communities in the region. MSD for Mothers is committed to tackling the issue of maternal mortality and provide better access to healthcare. In Rajasthan, our focus is to work with partners who have the capability to improve maternal health care services and ultimately decrease the number of women still dying during pregnancy and childbirth.”

Sharad Agarwal, CEO, HLFPPT said: “Women health is critical for global development and overall growth of the nation. Association of MSD for Mothers with the Merrygold Health Network will help in designing and implementing innovative programs to improve the lives of women and girls in the state of Rajasthan. Under the existing program MCH hospitals would be opened in 19 districts and would help extend the reach of the Merrygold Health Network.”
 
MSD is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. MSD is a trade name of Merck & Co., Inc., with headquarters in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA. MSD operates its human health business in India through three separate legal entities: MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Organon (India) Private Ltd., and Fulford (India) Limited, which are subsidiaries of Merck & Co. Inc.