Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing one crore antenatal check-ups. Launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, this initiative holds the hand of expecting mothers, offering them free, comprehensive, and high-quality check-ups on the 9th of every month at government health centers and hospitals, regardless of whether they reside in bustling cities or serene rural areas, ensuring their journey through pregnancy is safe and supported. What’s heartening is that private doctors also join hands in this noble endeavor.

This program extends its care specifically to pregnant women in their second and third trimesters, between three to six months of pregnancy, ensuring they receive the attention they need during this crucial time. Maharashtra shines as it leads among the non-empowered action group states, while Rajasthan takes the spotlight among the empowered action group states, showcasing the widespread impact and success of the initiative in different regions.

About the Campaign

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, initiated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, is all about caring for our moms-to-be. On the 9th day of every month, these wonderful women get access to top-notch, free-of-cost antenatal care at the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Clinics. To make sure each pregnant lady receives a thorough checkup during the 2nd or 3rd trimester. If the 9th day falls on a Sunday or a holiday, don’t worry; the Clinic’s got it covered, rescheduled for the next working day. Because taking care of our expecting mothers is a priority!

Target Beneficiaries

The programme aims to reach out to all Pregnant Women who are in the 2nd & 3rd Trimesters of pregnancy.

Public Health Facilities to access services under PMSMA

Rural Areas – Primary Health Centers, Community Health Centers, Rural Hospitals, Sub – District Hospital – District Hospital – Medical College Hospital
Urban Areas – Urban Dispensaries, Urban Health Posts, Maternity Homes.
To view your nearest health centre providing the facility.

Provision of services during PMSMA

When beneficiaries arrive at the Facility, they are first registered in a dedicated register for the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA).
After registration, the Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) and Staff Nurse (SN) ensure that all basic laboratory investigations are conducted before the beneficiary meets the Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OBGY) or Medical Officer.
These investigations include:
- Hemoglobin (Hb) level check
- Urine Albumin test
- Random Blood Sugar (RBS) test (using a dipstick)
- Rapid Malaria test
- Rapid Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test
- Blood Grouping
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
- Ultrasound (USG)
The reports of these investigations should ideally be provided within an hour and before the beneficiaries meet the doctors for further checkups.
This prompt report delivery enables the identification of High Risk status (such as anemia, gestational diabetes, hypertension, infection, etc.) at the time of examination, allowing for immediate and appropriate advice.
In cases where additional investigations are deemed necessary, beneficiaries are advised to get those investigations done.
They are instructed to bring the reports during their next PMSMA visit or during their routine Antenatal Care (ANC) check-up.

Following are details of specific services which will be provided during Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) :

Gather a comprehensive history of all beneficiaries, carefully examining and assessing for any potential danger signs, complications, or high-risk indicators.
Conduct essential checks for blood pressure, perform abdominal examinations, and listen for fetal heart sounds during every antenatal care (ANC) visit.
If specific investigations are needed for a woman at a public health facility, collect samples on-site. The responsibility of transporting these samples, conveying results, and ensuring follow-up lies with ANMs/MPWs.
Following the ANM/Staff Nurse examination, the Medical Officer should also attend to each beneficiary participating in the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA).
Identify high-risk pregnancies and promptly refer them to higher facilities. JSSK help desks stationed at these locations personally assist women who are referred, ensuring that they receive proper guidance. Additionally, all beneficiaries should receive Maternal and Child Protection (MCP) cards.
Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGY), Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEmOC), or Basic Emergency Obstetric Care (BEmOC) should handle high-risk cases, including those with complications. Referral slips with probable diagnosis and treatment details must accompany such cases.
Advocate for at least one ultrasound during the 2nd/3rd trimester. If necessary, ultrasound services may be provided through public-private partnerships (PPP), with associated costs booked under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK).
Ensure that every pregnant woman, individually or in groups, receives counseling before leaving the facility. Topics should include nutrition, rest, safe sex, safety, birth preparedness, recognition of danger signs, institutional delivery, and Post-Partum Family Planning (PPFP).

Make the completion of MCP cards mandatory at clinics. Additionally, affix a sticker indicating the pregnant woman’s condition and risk factors for each visit:

Green Sticker: No detected risk factors.
Red Sticker: High-risk pregnancy.
Blue Sticker: Pregnancy Induced Hypertension.
Yellow Sticker: Pregnancy with co-morbid conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)..

Counselling session to focus on the following topics:

Care during pregnancy.
Danger signs during pregnancy.
Family PlanningImportance of nutrition including iron – folic acid consumption and calcium supplementation.
Rest
Safe sex
Institutional delivery.
Identification of referral transport.
Entitlements under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY).
Entitlements and service guarantee under Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK).
Post – natal care.
Breastfeeding and complementary feeding