PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan marks nine years, Maternal Mortality Ratio (MRR) declines by 50 points

India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has declined significantly by 50 points over nine years of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA). The MMR improved from 130 per lakh live births in 2014-2016 to 80 per lakh live births in 2021-2023, reflecting the government’s sustained efforts to enhance antenatal care and nutrition for pregnant women. Since its launch in June 2016, the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has provided free, comprehensive antenatal care services to over 6.19 crore women on the ninth of every month, primarily during the second and third trimesters. The scheme aims to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality through early detection and management of high-risk pregnancies, birth preparedness, and improved nutrition. Maharashtra leads with 1,131 registered volunteers assisting pregnant women, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan with 1,076 and 1,015 volunteers, respectively. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of women receiving antenatal care under the scheme, with 1,89,534 beneficiaries in the critical trimesters.
PMSMA operates in alignment with the broader Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) strategy under the National Health Mission. The programme includes private sector engagement, encouraging practitioners to volunteer and participate in awareness campaigns. The E-PMSMA initiative, launched in January 2022, enhances the tracking of high-risk pregnant women, providing financial incentives and additional support via Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). PMSMA complements other government schemes such as Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), which has benefited over 11.07 crore women by incentivising institutional deliveries, and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), offering free institutional delivery and neonatal care with more than 16.60 crore beneficiaries since 2014-15. Other supportive initiatives include the LaQshya Initiative for labour room care quality, Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) for respectful maternal care, POSHAN Abhiyaan targeting nutrition for vulnerable groups, and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), which provides Rs. 5,000 (US$ 58.35) cash benefits to pregnant and lactating women.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.