Evaluating the effectiveness of m-health intervention to address respectful maternity care: a reflection on a tragic incident and its broader implications

A recent tragic incident that recently unfolded at a community health centre in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, starkly highlights the significant gaps in providing compassionate and respectful maternity care in India's public health system. In this case, a newborn tragically lost his life due to a nurse's alleged demand for a "neg" (customary tip), which delayed essential care and left the newborn unattended for 40 minutes. This incident not only exposes corruption within certain healthcare settings but also underscores the need for systemic changes that prioritize respect, dignity, and care for pregnant women and their newborns (Singh).