
MSD for Mothers
MSD for Mothers is MSD’s global initiative to help create a world where no woman has to die while giving life. Applying MSD’s business and scientific resources, MSD for Mothers works with grantees and collaborators to improve the health and well-being of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the months after. MSD for Mothers is an initiative of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, U.S.A. For more information, visit MSD for Mothers website.



Across the world, every two minutes, a woman dies from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these deaths are preventable when women have access to modern contraception and quality maternal health care before, during and after childbirth. Since 2013, MSD for Mothers has taken a comprehensive approach to advancing the quality of private maternity care in India to meet women’s maternal health needs. Its goal is to expand the pool of high-quality facilities available to women and complement India’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
They work with a diverse group of collaborators, including governments, non-profit organizations, quality improvement experts, advocates, and other innovators to help end preventable maternal mortality in India.
One of MSD for Mothers’ core principles is unlocking innovative financing mechanisms for long-term sustainability, achieved by supporting social entrepreneurs to expand access to quality care. Some of our supported social entrepreneurs are:
iKure TechSoft
A population health management company, recruiting and training community-based frontline workers to provide comprehensive antenatal care through tech-led monitoring of body vitals ensuring early detection and intervention of pregnancy-related complications and high-risk cases.
ARTIST for Her
Conducts training for nurses and frontline health care workers on best practices to build their capabilities and competencies. Based on the success of this model, 13 additional OBGYN-owned Centers of Skill Enhancement (CSEs) have been established across India to support local private providers in delivering standardized quality care to every mother.
Saarthi Health Innovation Platform (SHIP)
Assists small to medium-sized healthcare facilities to access non-clinical services like financing, procurement, equipment maintenance, technology solutions, legal and advisory services leading to efficient cost management and clinical outcomes, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare. Developed by Catalyst Group, through strategic counsel from MSD for Mothers, SHIP aims to help these enterprises scale their operations, positively impacting patient outcomes and profitability.
Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT)
Scaled up a network of ‘Merrygold’ social franchise clinics and hospitals to increase access for these facilities in rural Rajasthan to provide affordable and high-quality primary healthcare in underserved regions of the country.
Partners
Over 15 current partner organisations of varied expertise, including:
• The Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI)
• Swasti
• Accenture Development Partnerships
• Sattva Consulting
• PharmAccess