Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card

Introduction

• Joint initiative of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD)
• Launched in 2010 under NRHM (now NHM); revised standardized version released in 2018
• Single, parent-held, integrated record-cum-counselling tool for maternal & child health services
• Issued by ANM/Medical Officer at first ANC visit (ideally by 12 weeks) to every pregnant woman
• Tracks mother-child dyad from pregnancy registration till child completes 3 years (growth & nutrition services extend to 5 years)

Objectives

• Ensure continuum of care across antenatal, intranatal, postnatal & early childhood periods
• Improve utilization & quality of RMNCH+A services
• Act as family empowerment & health education tool
• Facilitate timely identification of high-risk cases & referral
• Reduce drop-outs in ANC, immunization, growth monitoring & PNC
• Link with entitlement schemes (JSY, JSSK, PMAY)

Key Components (Revised 2018 Card)

• Front page: Family identification (name, age, address, mobile, MCTS/RCH ID, bank details), photo of mother/child, high-risk pregnancy flag
• Antenatal Care: Registration details, 4+ ANC visits, TT injections, IFA/calcium tablets, Hb, BP, weight, urine, blood group, HIV/syphilis screening, danger signs
• Benefits & Entitlements: JSY cash assistance, JSSK free services (delivery, C-section, drugs, transport, diet)
• Delivery & PNC: Place/mode of delivery, birth weight, complications, PNC visits (day 1, 3, 7, 42)
• Newborn Care: Immediate breastfeeding, Vitamin K, eye prophylaxis, delayed cord clamping
• Immunization: Complete UIP schedule with dates, batch numbers, next due date
• Growth Monitoring: WHO weight-for-age & height-for-age charts (0-3 years), plotted at every contact
• Early Child Development (New in 2018):
  • Age-appropriate milestones (green color)
  • Parenting tips (blue color)
  • Warning signs (red color)
• Nutrition & Others: Exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, deworming, Vitamin A, family planning methods

Color Coding & Counselling Features

• Green: Normal milestones/activities
• Blue: Positive parenting advice
• Red/Yellow: Danger signs & high-risk flags
• Pictorial, simple language, culturally appropriate for low-literacy families

Roles & Utilization

• By Health Workers (ANM/ASHA/AWW): Recording services, tracking defaulters, counselling during VHSND/AWC visits
• By Family: Safe keeping & presentation at every contact point (sub-centre, PHC, hospital, Anganwadi)
• Tracking Mechanism: Linked to Mother & Child Tracking System (MCTS)/RCH portal for SMS reminders & follow-up
• Community Monitoring: ASHA uses for home visits & HBNC; helps reduce IMR/NMR through early intervention

Integration with National Programs

• Core component of RMNCH+A strategy
• Complements NSSK, HBNC, IMNCI, ICDS, LaQshya, SUMAN
• Used at Village Health Sanitation & Nutrition Days (VHSND)
• Supports POSHAN Abhiyaan & Anemia Mukt Bharat

Advantages & Impact

• Standardized, cost-effective tool across India
• Improves compliance & quality of care
• Empowers mothers/families with knowledge on danger signs & ECD
• Contributes to decline in MMR, IMR & NMR through better tracking & timely referral
• Recent focus (2024-25): Emphasis on complete & accurate filling, digital linkage with RCH portal, refresher training for FLWs