Why in the news?
The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan (PMSMA) completed 10 years on 9 June 2026. Since its launch in 2016, over 7.5 crore pregnant women have received antenatal care services under the scheme.
About PMSMA
- Launched: 9 June 2016
- Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Objective:
- Ensure safe pregnancy and childbirth.
- Provide free and quality antenatal care (ANC).
- Identify and manage high-risk pregnancies (HRPs).
Beneficiaries
- Pregnant women in Second trimester (13-27 weeks) and Third trimester (28 weeks till delivery)
- Special focus on High-risk pregnancies and Women missing routine ANC services
Key Features
Monthly ANC Services
- Conducted on the 9th of every month.
- Available at designated government health facilities.
Service Package
- Clinical examination, Blood and urine tests, Ultrasonography, Free medicines, Nutrition counselling, Birth preparedness counselling, and Safe pregnancy awareness
High-Risk Pregnancy (HRP) Identification
What is a high-risk pregnancy?
- Pregnancies with conditions that increase the risk of complications for the mother or baby.
PMSMA Screens for 25 HRP Conditions
- Important conditions include: Severe anaemia, HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, Gestational diabetes, Pregnancy-induced hypertension, Hypothyroidism, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Hepatitis B, Twin/multiple pregnancy, Previous Caesarean section, History of stillbirth, Teenage pregnancy, Advanced-age pregnancy, Negative blood group
Follow-up Mechanism
- HRPs linked to nearest: First Referral Unit (FRU)
- Individual tracking till safe delivery.
Extended PMSMA (2022)
- Launched in January 2022.
- Purpose: Strengthen follow-up care for high-risk pregnancies.
Features
- Additional ANC visits.
- Continuous monitoring.
- SMS reminders to: Beneficiary and ASHA worker
- Financial incentives for pregnant women and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)
[2024] With reference to the ‘Pradhan Manti Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan’, consider the following statements:
1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility.
2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialties can volunteer to provide service at nearby government health facilities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
[A] 1 only
[B] 2 only
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2