New programme aims to protect expectant mothers from extreme heat through insurance payouts, cash support and early warning systems
A groundbreaking insurance programme designed to protect pregnant women from the growing dangers of extreme heat has been launched, marking a first in climate adaptation and maternal health protection.
Called HERA Materna the initiative has been introduced by the climate resilience organisation HERA and its partners to provide financial and practical support to expectant mothers facing increasing heat related risks. The programme is being described as the world’s first heat pregnancy insurance scheme.
The launch comes as scientific evidence continues to highlight the serious health threats posed by extreme heat during pregnancy. A 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that exposure to high temperatures during pregnancy was associated with a 27 per cent increase in severe maternal health complications and a 28 per cent rise in stillbirth risk.
Unlike traditional insurance programmes, HERA Materna uses a parametric insurance model, under which payouts are automatically triggered when temperatures and humidity cross pre-defined thresholds. This eliminates the need for lengthy damage assessments and paperwork, allowing support to reach vulnerable women quickly.
The programme also includes philanthropy funded cash assistance that can be distributed before temperatures become severe enough to trigger insurance payouts. This early support is intended to help pregnant women reduce exposure to dangerous heat, access cooling solutions, seek medical care or temporarily reduce their workloads during periods of extreme weather.
In addition to financial assistance, HERA Materna will provide early warning alerts, maternal health education and cooling technologies such as solar powered fans to help women prepare for and cope with heatwaves.
The initiative is scheduled to begin during the 2027 heat season in partnership with the . The first phase will cover women receiving prenatal care through local clinics in Gujarat and Delhi, where enrolment and verification will be conducted confidentially through healthcare facilities.
Organisers plan to expand the programme to other parts of Asia as well as countries in West and East Africa after the initial rollout.
Health experts warn that pregnancy makes it more difficult for the body to regulate temperature. When extreme heat overwhelms the body’s cooling mechanisms, risks such as dehydration, cardiovascular stress, inflammation and reduced blood flow to the placenta increase significantly. These conditions have been linked to miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth and maternal hospitalisation.
The risks can continue after childbirth, as newborns are particularly vulnerable to temperature extremes and related health complications.
Kathy Baughman McLeod, chief executive officer of HERA, said millions of pregnant women are unable to avoid dangerous heat because of economic constraints. She noted that the new programme is designed to provide protection before extreme temperatures threaten the health and livelihoods of mothers and their babies.
Bijal Brambhatt, executive director of Mahila Housing Trust described the initiative as an important opportunity to address the unique health risks faced by pregnant women, particularly those working in the informal sector with limited access to healthcare and cooling facilities.
Public health experts involved in the programme said the insurance model could help families cope with both the medical and financial burdens created by climate driven heat emergencies.
As climate change continues to intensify heatwaves across many parts of the world, the launch of HERA Materna represents a new approach to climate resilience, combining insurance, healthcare support and preventive action to protect one of the most vulnerable groups affected by rising temperatures.