Published by Frontiers in Global Women’s Health on April 9, 2025, the Perspective article “Leveraging health financing, digital health and self-care approaches to strengthen maternal health journeys in India: perspectives from Assam” offers a comprehensive view on improving maternal health outcomes in underserved regions of India. Focusing on demand-side barriers, the authors explore how pro-poor financing schemes, digital innovations, and self-care interventions can together enhance access to quality maternal health services, particularly in areas like Assam, where maternal morbidity and mortality remain high.
Drawing from policy implementation experiences and digital health initiatives, the authors highlight how combining these three operational spaces can increase women’s autonomy, knowledge, and ability to seek timely care. The article presents case studies and pilot projects, including a chat-based digital support system that empowers women along their pregnancy and postnatal journey. This integrated approach, they argue, has the potential to transform maternal health access when adapted to local contexts and supported by inclusive health policies.