India has implemented several schemes to support and promote the health and well-being of pregnant women. Some of the prominent schemes are as follows:
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
A flagship maternity benefit program implemented by the Government of India, the PMMVY scheme aims to provide financial assistance and support to pregnant and lactating women across the country, ensuring the well-being of both the mother and the child.
Eligible women receive a direct transfer of ₹5,000 in three instalments—early registration of pregnancy, at the time of institutional delivery, and after the child's birth has been registered, accompanied by the necessary vaccinations and check-ups.
The PMMVY has a special focus on women who earn a daily wage or are from disadvantaged sections of society. It targets women below the poverty line and aims to uplift them by ensuring their access to quality healthcare and nutrition.
Read more: https://wcd.nic.in/schemes/pradhan-mantri-matru-vandana-yojana
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)
The PMSMA scheme is a crucial healthcare initiative launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), to prioritise the safety and well-being of pregnant women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It aims to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and pregnant women, particularly those from economically weaker sections.
All the essential maternal health services are provided at identified public health facilities, accredited private clinics and institutions volunteering for PMSMA.
PMSMA ensures at least one antenatal check up by a qualified physician or specialist on the 9th of every month. If the 9th day of the month is a Sunday or a holiday, then the clinic is organised on the next working day.
The program designates specific days as "Surakshit Divas" or Safe Motherhood Days, during which accredited healthcare professionals offer comprehensive antenatal check-ups and necessary diagnostic tests, free of cost.
Private medical practitioners are also encouraged to offer voluntary services at government health facilities.
Read more: https://nhm.hp.gov.in/storage/app/media/uploaded-files/PMSMA-Guidelines.pdf
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
One of the primary objectives of the Janani Suraksha Yojana is to promote institutional deliveries over home births. Recognising the importance of skilled medical assistance during childbirth, the program provides financial incentives to pregnant women who give birth in government-recognised health facilities or accredited private hospitals.
By incentivising institutional deliveries, the JSY ensures access to trained healthcare professionals, proper medical facilities and timely interventions, leading to safer childbirth and improved maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Pregnant women can avail three antenatal check-ups and an institutional delivery.
The beneficiaries have to get themselves registered with the health workers at the sub-centre, Anganwadi or primary health centres.
To make sure healthcare services are provided to the beneficiaries even in the areas where the required infrastructural facilities are unavailable, the scheme has tie-ups with private hospitals, nursing homes and clinics.
Read more: https://nhm.gov.in/WriteReadData/l892s/97827133331523438951.pdf
Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme
The Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme (MRMBS) is a landmark initiative implemented by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Under this scheme, eligible pregnant women receive a cash incentive of ₹18,000, which is disbursed in instalments during different stages of the pregnancy and after childbirth. The provision of comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care services is a critical component.
The scheme prioritises women from economically weaker sections of society, who face financial constraints in accessing quality healthcare. It is applicable for only two deliveries.
Cash assistance is given to mothers who deliver in government institutions and complete immunisation for the child up to the third dose of vaccinations, under the universal immunisation programme.
Read more: https://picme.tn.gov.in/picme_public/mrmbs.pdf
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK)
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) is a comprehensive initiative launched by the Government of India to provide free healthcare services and financial support to pregnant women and new-borns.
Under this scheme, eligible women receive free antenatal care, safe institutional deliveries, and postnatal care, including consultations, medicines, diagnostic tests, blood transfusions and surgical interventions diet for three days during normal delivery and seven days for C-section. Additionally, women are entitled to free delivery, including caesarean sections, in public health institutions, and new-borns are entitled to free medical care, including immunisations and treatment of illnesses, for the first 30 days after birth.
In 2014, these entitlements extended to all antenatal and post-natal complications of pregnancy. Similar entitlements have been put in place for all sick new-borns and infants (up to one year of age) accessing public health institutions for treatment.
Read more: https://nhm.gov.in/images/pdf/programmes/guidelines-for-jssk.pdf
Amma Odi & KCR Kit
The KCR Kit and Amma Vodi schemes are innovative initiatives implemented in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to support new-borns and their mothers. Under the KCR Kit scheme, an assortment of essential items is included to support the care of new-borns and their mothers.
The package consists of special mother and child care soap, a new-born baby bed, baby oil, a mosquito net for the baby, sarees for the mother, handbags, towels and napkins, dresses for the baby, baby powder, diapers, baby shampoo and toys. These items are carefully selected to address the immediate needs of new-borns, and provide comfort and hygiene for both mother and child.
Amma Odi is a scheme implemented in Andhra Pradesh that provides free transport facilities in an ambulance for pregnant women to access diagnostic services during regular check-ups and tests.
Read more: https://kamareddy.telangana.gov.in/scheme/kcr-kit/
