IAS Saurabh Katiyar belongs to the 2016 batch, Maharashtra cadre and is currently posted as Collector of Amravati, Maharashtra. His vision for the district focuses on improving maternal and child health to reduce mortality rates and combat malnutrition.

Melghat in Amravati district, faces severe health challenges, including high infant and maternal death rates, worsened by malnutrition. Most infant deaths occur within the first month, with 60% happening at home due to the lack of hospital deliveries and traditional superstitions. "The district has a substantial tribal population, which used to suffer from high IMR and MMR rates. Tribal people had to face many difficulties in the health sector," he said.

To combat this, Katiyar introduced Mission 28 :Transforming Maternal & Child Health in Melghat, a proactive approach to monitor and support pregnant women and lactating mothers 28 days before delivery and 28 days after delivery. “The aim  of Mission 28 includes increasing institutional deliveries, reducing infant mortality rates (IMR), maternal mortality rates (MMR), and child deaths” he stated

The initiative began with thorough pre-project analysis of health indicators, followed by workshops to train relevant staff.Asha and anganwadi were mobilised  to monitor and support pregnant women and lactating mothers during the 56 days period. Counseling was provided to encourage hospital births, breastfeeding techniques, and infant care. Medical infrastructure was enhanced with 3 Nutritional Rehabilitation Centers (NRCs), 62 Child Treatment Centers (CTCs), and Blood Banks. Specialised doctors supported by vehicles for pregnant women and neonatal ambulances.

Under Katiyar’s leadership infant mortality rates reduced from 36 in 2018-19 to 19.98 in 2023-24 and maternal mortality rates decreased from 124 in 2019-20 to 28.92 in 2024-25.In addition to this Institutional delivery rates increased from 77% in 2018-19 to 94% in 2023-24 and Child Deaths decreased from 245 in 2018-19 to 128 in 2023-24. 

Effective monitoring was a key part of his vision with introduction of three cards to keep track “Yellow (before delivery), Saffron (for postnatal care up to 28 days), and Green (for neonatal care up to 28 days)”.Additionally Flying squad & Helpline numbers were established to facilitate convenient communication.

In addition to this, Katiyar is also working on promoting eco-tourism in district.