The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) launched by MoHFW, provides a fixed day for assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care free of cost to pregnant women on 9th of every month. This Programme strengthens antenatal care detection and follow up of high risk pregnancies, contribute towards reduction of maternal deaths and reduce the MMR of India.
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK): this scheme encompasses free maternity services for women and children, a nationwide scale-up of emergency referral systems and maternal death audits, and improvements in the governance and management of health services at all levels.
The program follows a systematic approach for engagement with private sector which includes motivating private practitioners to volunteer for the campaign; developing strategies for generating awareness and appealing to the private sector to participate in the Abhiyan at government health facilities.
Dr. Muthu Lakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme: Health and Family welfare Department has enhanced the financial assistance to poor pregnant mothers from Rs. 12000 to Rs.18000. This scheme is strengthened with Nutrition kit with a view to reduce MMR and IMR. This scheme aims to provide optimal nutrition for pregnant and lactating women and compensates the wage loss during pregnancy.
To achieve the global goal of improving maternal health and to save women’s lives we need to do more to reach those who are most at risk, such as women in rural areas, urban slums, poorer households, adolescent mothers, women from minorities and tribal, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe groups.
