Varanasi, one of India’s oldest living cities, is quietly scripting a modern transformation in women’s health. The launch of the e-SAATHI WhatsApp Chatbot marks a decisive step toward empowering pregnant and lactating mothers with the information, guidance, and confidence they need throughout their maternal health journey. At a time when digital tools are reshaping healthcare access across India, e-SAATHI stands out for one simple reason — it speaks directly to the woman, at her pace, in her language, and according to her needs.
WHAT EXACTLY IS e-SAATHI?
e-SAATHI—short for Electronic Support and Assistance for Timely Health Information — is a WhatsApp-based digital support system designed to deliver the right health information at the right time to pregnant and postpartum women. It acts as an always-available companion, offering guidance on pregnancy care, danger signs, nutrition, newborn care, and postpartum well-being.
But e-SAATHI is not just another informational tool. It is a decision-support system built around the real-life needs of women. It builds knowledge, improves access, and enhances the quality of maternal care by:
- Supporting women throughout pregnancy and early motherhood
- Addressing gaps and barriers in maternal health care
- Encouraging self-care and informed decision-making
- Strengthening the connection between women and health providers
As mobile phones become deeply embedded in rural and urban households alike, e-SAATHI leverages this reach to ensure that no woman is left without guidance when she needs it the most.
THE INSPIRATION AND THE NEED
While India has made steady progress in maternal health, challenges remain — especially in ensuring consistent access to quality information and care. Varanasi’s maternal health statistics highlight such gaps:
- 38% of women are anaemic
- Only 51% of pregnant women complete 4+ ANC visits
- Barely 30% consume iron and folic acid for even 100 days
These indicators underline a critical need: most women need more support, not just services. National programs like PMSMA and LaQshya are strengthening health facilities, but sustaining progress requires an informed and confident health seeker.
This is where e-SAATHI enters the frame.
The initiative draws inspiration from the success seen in Assam, where the chatbot was first launched in April 2023. Today, it is active across six districts in Assam, Bhopal, and now Varanasi — selected specifically for its need to bridge information gaps and improve maternal outcomes.
Digital self-care tools like e-SAATHI empower women to take charge of their health, seek timely care, and participate actively in improving the quality of services they receive.
SMART FEATURES THAT MAKE e-SAATHI UNIQUE
e-SAATHI has been designed keeping in mind the everyday realities of pregnant and lactating women. Its features are simple to use, yet powerful in impact:
1. Easy Onboarding
Women can join by simply scanning a QR code and answering three questions:
- Language
- Age
- Expected Date of Delivery or Last Menstrual Period
(Lactating mothers enter their date of delivery.)
2. Tailored Messaging
The chatbot sends 2–3 WhatsApp messages every week, aligned to the woman’s stage—early pregnancy, late pregnancy, or postpartum. These messages are-
- Clear, simple, and actionable
- Available in English, Hindi, and Assamese
- Text-based and audiovisual
3. Provider Engagement
ASHAs, ANMs, AWWs, and facility teams are trained to:
- Onboard women
- Respond to queries
- Understand feedback
- Support women’s health journeys
4. Feedback Loops
After each ANC visit, women can share:
- What checks were done
- How their experience was
- Any concerns or gaps
This enables women to voice their experiences and empowers the system to respond.
5. Quality Dashboards
Health facilities receive real-time, actionable insights based on women’s feedback—an important step toward improving the overall quality of maternal care.
HOW PREGNANT AND LACTATING MOTHERS BENEFIT
Once enrolled, women begin receiving timely messages on crucial topics such as:
- Antenatal checkups
- Warning signs in pregnancy
- Nutrition & supplementation
- Birth preparedness
- Newborn care
- Postpartum health
- Breastfeeding guidance
They also receive reminders for ANC visits and are encouraged to report their experience after each visit — giving them a voice in shaping better healthcare delivery.
Simply put, e-SAATHI gives every woman the power to make informed decisions and seek safe, respectful, and high-quality healthcare.
TARGETS FOR THE FIRST YEAR
With Varanasi at the center of this initiative, the mission is clear and ambitious:
- Onboard 25,000 women onto the chatbot
- Improve women’s knowledge, attitudes, and behavior related to maternal health
- Strengthen demand for high-quality maternal healthcare services
- Support increased uptake of ANC, IFA consumption, safe delivery practices, and postpartum care
A DIGITAL STEP TOWARD A HEALTHIER VARANASI
e-SAATHI represents a powerful blend of technology, public health innovation, and community-level empowerment. By placing the woman at the center and offering guidance at every step, it ensures no one walks the maternal health journey alone.
For Varanasi, this initiative is more than a digital tool—it is a commitment to healthier mothers, safer births, and stronger families. As more women come onboard, the city moves one step closer to a future where every mother is informed, supported, and cared for.
e-SAATHI is not just a chatbot—it is a companion, a guide, and a bridge to better maternal health.
