Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) – All You Need To Know

Read on to know the benefits, eligibility, and coverage of Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA).
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3 min
20-February-2024

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, introduced the PMSMA. PMSMA full form is Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan. This initiative is geared towards offering assured, comprehensive, and high-quality antenatal care, provided free of charge, to all pregnant women on the 9th of every month. While standard antenatal care is typically available, specialised ANC services are administered by OBGY specialists, radiologists, and physicians at government health facilities as part of the PMSMA program. In this article, we will discuss the objectives, benefits, eligibility, and other aspects of the PMSMA scheme and also the significance of health insurance for all.

What is Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan?

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) was initiated to ensure that pregnant women in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters receive assured, comprehensive, and high-quality antenatal care. The program adopts a structured method to engage with the private sector, encouraging private practitioners to volunteer for the campaign. It also devises strategies to raise awareness and encourage private sector involvement in the Abhiyan at government health facilities. An essential aspect of PMSMA involves identifying and monitoring high-risk pregnancies, with red stickers affixed to the Mother and Child Protection cards of women with such pregnancies.

Explore: Government health insurance schemes in India

Objectives of PMSMA

Given below are the key objectives of Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA):

  • Ensure a minimum of one antenatal check-up for all pregnant women during their second or third trimester by a physician/specialist.
  • Enhance the quality of care during antenatal visits by providing:
  • Necessary diagnostic services.
    • Screening for relevant clinical conditions.
    • Proper management of existing clinical conditions like anaemia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, etc.
    • Adequate counselling services and accurate documentation of rendered services.
  • Offer additional service opportunities to pregnant women who have missed antenatal visits.
  • Identify and list high-risk pregnancies based on obstetric/medical history and existing clinical conditions.
  • Ensure appropriate birth planning and readiness for complications for each pregnant woman, especially those with identified risk factors or comorbid conditions.
  • Place special emphasis on early detection and proper management of women with malnutrition.
  • Provide focused attention to adolescent and early pregnancies, as they require additional and specialised care.

Read more: Maternity health insurance

Key features of Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan

Given below are the key features of PMSMA:

  • Comprehensive antenatal care: Every pregnant woman in India receives at least one thorough examination and appropriate investigation during PMSMA, reducing maternal and neonatal deaths.
  • Specialist care: Antenatal check-ups are provided by OBGY specialists, radiologists, and physicians, with support from private sector doctors, supplementing government efforts.
  • Monthly care package: A minimum package of antenatal care services, including investigations and drugs, is offered on the 9th day of every month at identified public health facilities in both urban and rural areas.
  • Single window system: PMSMA clinics offer a streamlined process, providing investigations (including one ultrasound during the 2nd trimester) and essential medicines to all pregnant women attending.
  • Targeted outreach: Special efforts are made to reach pregnant women who have not registered for ANC or have dropped out, along with high-risk pregnant women.
  • Voluntary services: Private sector practitioners are encouraged to volunteer at public health facilities lacking government sector practitioners.
  • Mother and child protection: Pregnant women receive Mother and Child Protection Cards and safe motherhood booklets for better tracking and care.
  • High-risk identification: High-risk pregnancies are identified and followed up, with a sticker indicating the risk factor added to the MCP card for each visit.
  • National portal and mobile application: A National Portal and Mobile application facilitate engagement of private/ voluntary sector.
  • Recognition: 'IPledgeFor9' Achievers Awards celebrate individual and team achievements, acknowledging voluntary contributions for PMSMA nationwide.

Check out: Women health insurance

What are the benefits of PMSMA Scheme?

The PMSMA scheme offers several benefits, including free, high-quality antenatal care for pregnant women, ensuring comprehensive health check-ups and necessary interventions. By providing specialised services on a fixed date each month, it aims to enhance maternal and fetal health. For easy access to services, beneficiaries can use the PMSMA login portal to schedule appointments and track their care efficiently.

What Services are Covered Under PMSMA?

Under the PMSMA scheme, a range of essential services are provided, including routine antenatal check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, blood tests, ultrasound scans, and nutritional counseling. These services are offered free of charge on the 9th of every month to ensure the well-being of both mother and child. Beneficiaries can easily access and schedule these services through the PMSMA login on the PMSMA portal.

Also, read: Group Health Insurance Policy

Engagement with private/ voluntary sector

The Prime Minister of India talked about the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan in the July 31, 2016, Mann Ki Baat episode and urged doctors to dedicate 12 days each year to this initiative. A National Portal and a Mobile application have been made to help doctors from the private/voluntary sector join in.

Private-sector OBGY specialists, radiologists, and physicians are encouraged to volunteer for the campaign. They can sign up for it by:

  • Calling a toll-free number (18001801104).
  • Sending an SMS with their name to 5616115.
  • Visiting the PMSMA portal (pmsma.nhp.gov.in).
  • Using the "Volunteer Registration" section of the mobile application.

How to register for PMSMA?

If you are an Obstetrician/ Radiologist/ Physician and willing to volunteer, then you can visit https://pmsma.mohfw.gov.in/pmsma-app/VolunteerController/volunteerRegistration to complete the registration process. You need to provide the following details:

  • Name
  • Gender
  • Working as (Private/ voluntary/ retired)
  • Qualification
  • Specialisation
  • Mobile number
  • Email address
  • MCI/ State medical council registration number
  • Member of any professional body
  • Address
  • The state and district you are volunteering for

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan is a program designed to deliver healthcare services to every pregnant woman across India. Additionally, it furnishes counseling sessions to expectant mothers concerning the safety and potential risks linked with pregnancies. Consequently, it ensures that pregnant women undergo safe deliveries and have convenient access to healthcare facilities.

Frequently asked questions

What is Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan?

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is a government initiative aimed at providing free, comprehensive antenatal care to pregnant women on the 9th of every month, ensuring maternal and fetal health through specialised services.

When was PMSMA launched?

PMSMA was launched on July 31, 2016, by the Government of India to improve maternal health outcomes by offering regular and quality antenatal care to pregnant women across the country.

What are the guidelines for PMSMA?

The guidelines for PMSMA include providing free antenatal check-ups on the 9th of every month, prioritising high-risk pregnancies, and ensuring the availability of OBGY specialists, radiologists, and other necessary healthcare professionals at government facilities.

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