Nine years of Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan

Launched in June 2016, the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Designed to provide free, quality, and assured antenatal care (ANC) services, PMSMA focuses on women in their second and third trimesters and is conducted on the 9th of every month across the country.

As of June 2025, over 6.19 crore pregnant women have been examined under this programme, reflecting a significant public health milestone.

Core Objective: Reducing Maternal and Neonatal Mortality

The fundamental goal of PMSMA is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality through the early identification and management of high-risk pregnancies. By enabling timely diagnosis, counselling, and referrals, the scheme ensures that mothers receive the care needed for safe and healthy deliveries.

Engagement with Private Sector: A Unique Public-Private Model

A standout feature of PMSMA is its strategic collaboration with private medical practitioners, encouraging their voluntary participation. These professionals contribute by:

• Conducting ANC check-ups at government health facilities.
• Supporting awareness campaigns.
• Strengthening the healthcare workforce on PMSMA days.

Current Statistics:

• Volunteers Registered: 6,813
• Facilities Offering PMSMA Services: 20,752

Remarkable Impact on Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)

India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio has seen a significant decline due to PMSMA and other aligned interventions:

• MMR in 2014–16: 130 per 1 lakh live births
• MMR in 2021–23: 80 per 1 lakh live births

This 50-point drop demonstrates the success of targeted maternal health policies in enhancing safe motherhood.

Strategic Alignment with RMNCAH+N Goals

PMSMA is a key component of the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) strategy under the National Health Mission (NHM). Its objectives are:

• Ensure every pregnant woman gets at least one check-up by a specialist during the 2nd or 3rd trimester.
• Improve ANC quality, especially for High-Risk Pregnancies (HRPs).
• Promote birth preparedness and complication readiness.
• Manage malnutrition and address adolescent pregnancies.

Key Features of PMSMA

• Fixed ANC day (9th of every month)
• Voluntary specialist support
• Free diagnostics, counselling, and nutritional support
• Focus on early HRP identification
• Public-private collaboration to enhance reach

Extended PMSMA (E-PMSMA): Strengthening Follow-Up for High-Risk Cases

Introduced in January 2022, E-PMSMA enhances the PMSMA framework by focusing on tracking High-Risk Pregnant women till safe delivery and postnatal care. The strategy incentivizes both HRP women and their attending ASHA workers for participation.

Key Statistics (as of Dec 31, 2024):

• High-Risk Pregnancies Identified: 78.27 lakh+

Salient Features:

• Name-based line listing of HRPs
• Up to 4 sessions per month for HRP care
• Individual tracking till 45th day after delivery
• SMS alerts for beneficiaries and ASHAs to ensure regular follow-ups

Services Offered Under PMSMA

• Comprehensive ANC check-ups
• Blood tests, urine tests, blood pressure monitoring
• Nutritional counselling and supplements
• Tetanus immunization
• Specialist referrals for complications
• Birth preparedness plans

Integration with Other Flagship Maternal and Child Health Initiatives

PMSMA works in tandem with other maternal and child welfare schemes to create a holistic care framework:

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY):

Encourages institutional deliveries via conditional cash transfers, benefitting 11.07 crore women by March 2025.

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK):

Promotes free institutional delivery and neonatal care, having served 16.60 crore beneficiaries since 2014–15.

LaQshya:

Improves quality of care in labour rooms and maternal ICUs.

Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN):

Guarantees respectful and dignified maternity care. As of March 2025, 90,015 SUMAN facilities are active.

POSHAN Abhiyaan:

Targets malnutrition in vulnerable groups. 6.97 crore Poshan Pakhwadas have been conducted nationally.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY):

Offers ₹5,000 direct cash benefit to pregnant and lactating women to promote maternal health and institutional births.