Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan(PMSMA)

What is Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan?

Health insurance also safeguards women against complications arising during pregnancy. It covers both maternity and newborn baby expenses at pocket-friendly premiums. That said, the government has also launched nationwide schemes to provide better medical care to expecting mothers during the maternity period leading to a decrease in mortality figures of women in maternal phases. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan or PMSMA is one such government-led scheme that aims to provide quality preventive healthcare facilities to every pregnant Indian woman.

As a part of the PMSMA programme, a beneficiary can avail a minimum service package during pregnancy until birth at designated government-run clinics. Maternal health services are provided free of cost on day 9 of every month. This is done to make sure every woman receives at least one check-up in the weeks starting from week 13 to 40 of pregnancy. Women are also provided diagnostic as well as counselling services while managing any existing or potential health conditions so that they can have a safer pregnancy.

Beneficiaries who are entitled under the PMSMA scheme

 PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan provides assured and comprehensive healthcare to women all over India currently in the last six months of their pregnancy. Efforts are taken to involve women who have not yet undergone registration for antenatal care or those who haven’t availed services even after being registered, especially the ones with high-risk pregnancies.

Service package under PMSMA

A beneficiary is first registered under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan at the facility, followed by routine lab investigation, the reports of which are handed over to them for a meeting with the gynaecologist. Here are a few services that you can avail as a registered beneficiary:

• Sharing your medical history along with routine examinations including blood pressure, fetal heart sound, abdominal scan etc. to detect any complications or risks during the pregnancy.

• Samples for specific investigation requested by a beneficiary visiting a public health centre will be collected and transported to the appropriate location by the ANM for testing. The ANM will also stay in touch with them and inform them about the results of the tests conducted.

• A medical officer will also examine every PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan beneficiary. Women with high risk pregnancies can be treated by either the obstetrician or gynaecologist present or be referred to higher facilities by providing them with referral slips that mention the diagnosis and treatment.

• Each woman can undergo one ultrasound during her pregnancy including expenses towards ultrasonogram services, if required, to be made under a PPP mode.

• Each woman is issued an MCP card with information about her condition and risk factors through colour coordinated stickers. Green indicates no risks, red is for high risk pregnancies, blue for hypertension due to pregnancy and yellow for those with comorbid conditions such as diabetes etc

• Individual or group counselling on rest, nutrition, danger signs or complications, family planning, safety and care during pregnancy among others is to be provided to all women before they leave the facility.

• Pregnant women will also be provided with antenatal checkup by OBGYN specialist/radiologist/physician with support from private sector doctors to supplement the government sector’s efforts.

• An application and PMSMA portal has also been developed to facilitate the engagement of the private/voluntary sector.

• Special emphasis is given on early diagnosis, adequate and appropriate management of women with malnutrition.

• Adolescent and early pregnancies are also given special focus as these pregnancies need extra and specialised care.

Also, check here: Other government health insurance schemes in India

Public health facilities to be implementing this campaign

Government healthcare  centres that are authorised to partner and implement the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan in both rural and urban areas are as under:

Prerequisites to be Followed by Facilities Organising PMSMA

Hospitals and other public health facilities functioning as PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan centres should have arrangements for conducting various diagnostic tests as well as requisite staff and medical supplies such as:

Medical staff: ANM or GNM, BEmOC trained Medical Officer, lab technician, pharmacist, ANM or SN trained in counselling, Sonologist or Radiologist for USG Lab Investigations

Diagnostic capability: Facility to conduct tests for haemoglobin, urine albumin and sugar, blood sugar (Dipstick), malaria, VDRL, HIV etc

Drugs: Iron and folic acid, paracetamol, chloroquine, folic acid(400mg), Cal(500mg) and VitD3, Albendazole,  Methyldopa, Labetalol tablets , antibiotics such as Ampicillin, Metronidazole, Amoxicillin, Trimethoprim & Cotrimoxazole, Dexamethasone injection, Labetalol injection

Conclusion

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan aims to fill the gap created by the absence of health insurance among the rural population specifically expectant mothers. It makes maternal healthcare a priority by ensuring continuity of care. However, if you want to opt for a well rounded health plan that comes with maternity benefits, comprehensive health insurance plans available on Finserv MARKETS should be your choice. Get medical coverage for your family starting at just ₹ 292 per month. You can choose a sum assured as high as ₹ 50 Lakhs and enjoy cashless payment across a network of more than 6500 hospitals all over India.

Quick claim settlement and coverage of expenses both before and after you or a family member is hospitalised are some of the reasons that make purchasing health insurance from Finserv MARKETS a wise move. So, if you are ready to welcome your bundle of joy, you can ensure the best medical care during pregnancy and protect the health of your newborn by investing in a health insurance plan available on Finserv MARKETS.