Lok Sabha Question No. 158 (STARRED), answered on 2022-12-16
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Nihal Chand Chauhan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 158 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16 TH  DECEMBER, 2022

## PRADHAN MANTRI SURAKSHIT MATRITVA ABHIYAN

## †*158. SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan through private hospitals;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, whether any decision is likely to be taken in this regard; and
- (c) the details of the guidelines issued to the State  Governments  for  proper implementation of the said scheme in the country?

## THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## ANSWER (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to (  c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 158* FOR 16 TH  DECEMBER, 2022

(a) to (c) Government of India launched 'Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan' (PMSMA)with an aim to provide fixed-day, free of cost, assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care on the 9 th day of every month universally to all pregnant women in  their  2nd  /  3rd  trimesters  of  pregnancy,  at  designated  public  health  facilities  by Obstetricians/Medical officers. The programme also invites active participation from private  practitioners  on  a  voluntary  basis.  Since  inception,  more  than  3.69  crore pregnant women have received comprehensive ANC under this programme across all States and UTs.

One of the key focus areas during Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is to generate demand through Information Education & Communication (IEC), Inter-personal Communication (IPC) and Behavior Change Communication (BCC) activities. Extensive use of audio-visual and print media  in  raising  mass  awareness  is  an  integral  part  of  IEC/BCC  campaign. Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM), Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) and Anganwadi Worker (AWW) play a pivotal role in mobilization of the community and potential beneficiaries in both rural and urban areas for availing of services during the PMSMA.

The guideline details issued to the States/UTs are placed at 'Annexure'

## 1. Introduction:

- 1.1. The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) was introduced to ensure quality antenatal care to pregnant women in the country. Under the campaign, a minimum package of antenatal care services is provided to the  beneficiaries  on  the  9th  day  of  every  month  at  the  designated  public health facilities to ensure that every pregnant woman receives at least one checkup in the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy by a doctor.
- 1.2. During  this  campaign,  trained  service  providers  and  ASHA  focus  their efforts  to  identify  and  reach  out  to  pregnant  women  who  have  not registered  for  ANC  (left  out/missed  ANC)  and  also  those  who  have registered  but  not  availed  ANC  services  (dropout)  as  well  as  High  Risk pregnant women. It also ensures that not only all pregnant women complete their scheduled ANC visits but also undertake all essential investigation.
- 1.3. PMSMA provides quality  ANC  &  also  detection,  referral,  treatment  and follow-up of high risk pregnancies and women having complications.

## 2. Key focus areas Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA):

- 2.1. Key focus area under Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is to generate demand through Information Education &Communication (IEC), Inter-personal Communication (IPC) and Behaviour  Change  Communication  (BCC)  activities.  Extensive  use  of audio-visual and print media in raising mass awareness is an integral part of  IEC/BCC  campaign.  Auxiliary  Nurse  Midwife  (ANM),  ASHA  and Anganwadi  Worker  (AWW)  play  a  pivotal  role  in  mobilization  of  the community  and  potential  beneficiaries  in  bothrural  and  urban  areas  for availing services.

## 3. Objective:

- 3.1. To  provide  adequate,  appropriate  and  quality  ANC  to  every  pregnant woman across the country.

## Annexure

## 4. Engagement with Private/voluntary sector

- 4.1. Under PMSMA, services are provided by the Medical Officer and OBGY specialist. Facilities where such trained manpower is not available, services from Private Practitioners (OBGY) on a voluntary basis are arranged.
- 4.2. Obstetricians/ physicians from private sector and retired OBGY specialists are  encouraged  to  provide  voluntary  services  at  designated  public  health facilities on the 9th of every month.

## 4.3. Strategies implemented for engaging with private sector encompass:

- -A portal for registration of doctors willing to volunteer for the PMSMA is created at the National level.
- -States  /UTs  to  collaborate  with  organizations  such  as  Federation  of Obstetric  and  Gynecological  Societies  of  India  (FOGSI),  &  Indian Medical  Association  (IMA)  to  facilitate  the  participation  of  private doctors in the initiative

## 4.4. Strategies to sustain participation:

- -Recognition  of  efforts  of  volunteer  doctors  for  providing  exemplary services through awards
- -Utilization of social media for recognizing the work of volunteers.