The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) was launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) to ensure quality antenatal care for all pregnant women. The news marks its 9th year of operation.
1. 🎯 Objectives and Core Features
- Launch Date: June 9, 2016.
- Aim: To provide assured, comprehensive, and quality antenatal care (ANC), free of cost, universally to all pregnant women.
- Fixed-Day Service: Services are provided on the 9th of every month at designated government health facilities (PHCs, CHCs, District Hospitals).
- Target Group: Pregnant women in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
- Service Providers: Obstetricians & Gynecologists (OBGY specialists), Radiologists, and Physicians from both the government and private sector (volunteers are encouraged).
- Guaranteed Package: Includes a minimum package of services like:
- Applicable diagnostic services (Haemoglobin, Urine Albumin, Sugar, HIV, Syphilis, Blood Grouping, etc.).
- One Ultrasound (where available).
- Appropriate medicines (e.g., Iron Folic Acid (IFA) and Calcium supplements).
- Counselling and documentation.
2. 🔴 High-Risk Pregnancy (HRP) Identification
A critical component of PMSMA is the identification, line-listing, and tracking of High-Risk Pregnancies (HRPs).
- Identification: Based on obstetric/medical history and clinical conditions (e.g., Severe Anemia, Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension, Gestational Diabetes, young or elderly age).
- Sticker System:
- Green Sticker: Applied to the Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card for women with no risk factor.
- Red Sticker: Applied to the MCP card for women identified with a high-risk pregnancy for prioritized management and follow-up.
- E-PMSMA (Extended PMSMA): Launched in 2022 to strengthen the tracking of HRPs through a digital system, ensuring follow-up until a safe delivery and up to 45 days post-delivery.
3. 📈 Key Achievements (Over 9 Years)
- ANC Coverage: Over 6 crore pregnant women have been examined under the Abhiyan.
- Reduction in Mortality: PMSMA is a significant contributor to the improvement in India’s maternal and neonatal health indicators:
- Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): Declined from 130 per 1 lakh live births (2014-16) to 80 per 1 lakh live births (2021-23).
- Diagnosis Scale: Millions of essential tests have been conducted, including:
- $\approx 84$ lakh Haemoglobin tests.
- $\approx 55$ lakh HIV tests.
- $\approx 41$ lakh Diabetes tests.
- Volunteer Engagement: Encouraged the voluntary participation of private sector doctors (‘I Pledge For 9’ campaign) to augment the government workforce.
4. 🔗 Synergy with Other Schemes
PMSMA works in synergy with other National Health Mission (NHM) programs to ensure the full continuum of care:
- Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): Conditional cash transfer to promote institutional deliveries.
- Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): Provides free care, including transportation and treatment, for pregnant women and sick newborns.
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): Provides maternity benefits (cash incentive) to pregnant and lactating mothers.
- LaQshya: Aims to improve the quality of care in labor rooms and maternity operation theatres.