UPSC Prelims 2024 Q99: PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan — Explained

With reference to the 'Pradhan Mantri 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 specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b) 2 only

Statement-wise explanation

  • 1: incorrect — PMSMA gives pregnant women in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters free antenatal care on a fixed day, the 9th of every month, at designated government facilities. It has no six-month post-delivery care. Guaranteed, zero-cost care at any public facility for pregnancy, delivery and up to six months after delivery describes a different scheme: Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN), launched in 2019. The statement mixes PMSMA's antenatal package with SUMAN's assurance.
  • 2: correct — PMSMA asks private-sector obstetrician-gynaecologists (OBGY), radiologists and physicians to volunteer at nearby government facilities on PMSMA day. They can sign up through the PMSMA portal, the toll-free number 1800-180-1104 or by SMS. In the 31 July 2016 Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister asked doctors to give 12 days a year to the campaign. Where a facility has no specialist, volunteer private practitioners fill the gap.

How to eliminate

Statement 2 is the scheme's best-known feature, so a well-read candidate keeps it. In Statement 1, look at three things together. First, 'guarantees' is a strong legal word. Second, 'any government health facility' is very broad. Third, it adds 'six months post-delivery' to a scheme whose name and design are about antenatal care on a fixed day. An 'Abhiyan' run on the 9th of each month at designated facilities does not fit a promise of care at any facility on any day. In the end, you need one fact: PMSMA is antenatal only (2nd/3rd trimester, 9th of every month). The six-month post-delivery guarantee belongs to SUMAN.

Know more

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) was launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in June 2016. It gives free, comprehensive antenatal care (ANC) to all pregnant women in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters on the 9th of every month at government health facilities.

  • Minimum ANC package: check-ups by OBGY specialists, radiologists or physicians; investigations; and medicines such as IFA and calcium supplements.
  • High-risk pregnancies are marked with a red sticker on the Mother and Child Protection card so they can be followed up.
  • Private doctors volunteer at government facilities on PMSMA day.
  • Extended PMSMA (E-PMSMA) started in January 2022. It tracks high-risk pregnant women until a safe delivery, with financial incentives for the woman and her ASHA worker for 3 extra visits beyond the PMSMA visit.

Maternal health schemes UPSC tends to mix up

Scheme Year Core idea
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) 2005 Cash incentive for giving birth in a health facility
PMSMA 2016 Fixed-day (9th) antenatal care in 2nd/3rd trimester; private doctors volunteer
LaQshya 2017 Better quality in labour rooms and maternity operation theatres
SUMAN 2019 Assured, zero-cost, respectful care for pregnant women, sick newborns and mothers up to 6 months after delivery at public facilities; no denial of service
E-PMSMA 2022 Tracking and incentives for high-risk pregnancies

These schemes target the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR). MMR counts maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births. India's MMR fell from 130 (SRS 2014-16) to 80 (SRS 2021-23).

NCERT Concepts to Revise

  • Maternal mortality ratio: PMSMA and its sister schemes exist to cut maternal deaths, measured as the maternal mortality ratio per 1,00,000 live births.

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