PMSMA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Scheme)

News-CRUX-10     24th February 2024        

Context: Recently, the family planning department, as part of the National Health Mission (NHM), expanded high-risk pregnancy categories from 10 to 24, aiming to enhance maternal and newborn survival. 

oThis adjustment ensures coverage for a COVID-positive woman under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan program, according to a senior official familiar with the situation.


Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan 

  • Launched2016
  • Aim: To provide fixed-day, free-of-cost, assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care on the ninth day of every month to all pregnant women in their second and third trimester.
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW)
  • Goal: To improve the quality and coverage of Antenatal Care (ANC) including diagnostics and counselling services as part of the Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) Strategy.
  • As per the health ministry:  States where the highest of pregnant women in their second or third trimester received antenatal care under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) in January are Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Karnataka. 
  • So far, 47.34 million women have been covered under the programme.
  • PMSMA Coverage: Guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services.
  • Targeting women in their 2nd/3rd trimesters of pregnancy.
  • Services provided at designated government health facilities.
  • Objective: Ensure at least one antenatal checkup for all pregnant women in their second or third trimester by a physician/specialist.
  • Features of PMSMA

oPMSMA aims to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths.

oOBGY specialists offer antenatal checkup services.

oMonthly antenatal care packages are provided.

oSingle-window system ensures investigations and medicines.

oTarget includes pregnant women and high-risk cases.

oPrivate sector doctors supplement government efforts.

oOutreach to unregistered or missed ANC women.