The Madhya Pradesh government is set to transform maternal healthcare with the launch of an AI-powered chatbot named SUMAN SAKHI, under the National Health Mission (NHM).
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 initiative is expected to speed up information delivery and build trust in healthcare services.
The chatbot has been designed by the National Health Mission, Madhya Pradesh, in partnership with the Madhya Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation (MPSEDC) under the Department of Science and Technology. The rollout begins in districts with greater maternal healthcare needs.
Officials confirmed, “Hindi will be the primary language of the chatbot, ensuring accessibility for both rural and urban users.” Available round the clock, it allows women to seek support without time or location barriers.
In upcoming phases, the chatbot will extend beyond maternal health, integrating information about other major government welfare schemes. Plans are also underway to make it available through WhatsApp for wider access.
Officials added that this AI-based step will “improve service delivery and bring greater transparency and accountability in healthcare.”