Childbirth is moment of joy and contentment, for every society. Bringing new life into this world, is cherished moment, for sure. Childbirth is synonym with responsibility from day of conceiving. Healthy pregnancy is equally essential for non-complicated delivery of child. Pregnancy involves vulnerability that put women at risk of dying, especially in traditional society as ours, where Women from time eternal, have been designated with the role of homemaker and loaded with the responsibility of home front management in whatsoever circumstances.
Bharat, being developing nation with high population, the health concerns of womenfolk was generally, given the least priority. As a result, Bharat had been one of the many countries recording high amount of pregnancy related deaths of women each year. Ninety four percent of maternal deaths occurred in low and lower middle income groups.
In September 2000, the United Nations, faced with the enormous maternal death toll in Bharat and the other developing countries, pledged as its fifth Millennium Development Goal (MDG 5) that the global MMR would be reduced to a quarter.
Hon.Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi’s vision of empowerment is deep rooted and life changing. Hence, to ensure healthy pregnancy and nutritious motherhood to new mothers, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna was introduced in January 2017. It was implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
It is a conditional cash transfer scheme for pregnant and lactating women of minimum 19 years of age or above for the first live birth.
It provides a partial wage compensation to women for wage-loss during childbirth and child care and to provide conditions for safe delivery and good nutrition and feeding practises.
In 2018, with consistent dedicated efforts by the Modi Government, the World Health Organisation (WHO) congratulated Bharat for great reduction in Maternal mortality. In recent years, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR)is reduced by 77%.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna (PMMVY) is a maternity benefit programme run by the Government of Bharat using the platform of AnganWadi, under the department of Health and Family Welfare.
The eligible beneficiaries receive the incentive given under the Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY) for institutional delivery and the incentive received under JSY would be accounted towards maternity benefits, thus on an average woman received Rs.6000/-.
Under the PMMVY, Rs.6000/- is provided in two installations based on the fulfilment of below mentioned condition
1. The first instalment of Rs.3000/- is released on registration of pregnancy, within the first four months at an Anganwdi centre or healthcare facility.
2. Undergoing at least one prenatal checkup along with taking Iron supplements and TT vaccine by the mother.
3. At least one counselling session must be attended by the mother at an AnganWadi or healthcare facility.
The second instalment of Rs.3000/- is released, 1. Registration of birth.
2. Immunisation of the child with BCG and Oral polio vaccine at birth, six weeks and ten weeks old.
3. Two sessions to monitor growth before the child is three months old.
Or
The sum can be imparted in three instalments.
1. The first instalment of Rs.1000/- would be given at the time of registration at the AnganWadi or Health Center.
2. The second instalment of Rs.2000/- would be given in the first six months, of pregnancy, after check-up at the healthcare centre.
3. The third instalment of rest of the Rs.2000/- would be given post childbirth and vaccination (BCG,DPT,OPV).
The PMMVY also instructs the new Mothers to Breastfeed for the first six months and give the child complimentary food after that, Vaccinate the child with DPT and Polio vaccine and attend two councelling sessions when the child is between 3-6 months old.
Carrol, a newly married woman hailing from Mumbai, had shifted base to Mandi in Himachal Pradesh post marriage. Almost immediately she was pregnant. The changed atmosphere of small and sleepy village from hustle bustle of Metro city, was difficult to adjust for Carrol. But the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna, came to her rescue in this settling times. Narendra Modiji’s idea of implementation of programme, has always been with personal touch. Hence, the Asha workers, helped Carrol with necessary advises and suggestions during pregnancy and childbirth, about healthcare and child care along with monetary aid and made her feel the Mother’s touch of hometown.
Any woman, a Bharatiya citizen, with minimum age of 19 and above, at the time of her first pregnancy, can avail this benefit with following documents as identity proofs.
1. Ration Card
2. The birth certificate of the child
3. Aadhar Card of both the parents.
4. Identity proofs of parents.
The application for the benefit of PMMVY can not be done online. It is essential to do it offline. The pregnant woman is required to fill three forms at the nearest AnganWadi or the Healthcare Center. After filling up all three forms, the recipient receives the Slip as acknowledgement.
This is a central Government Scheme, and its funding is borne by Centre and state in the ratio of 60:40. In the North Eastern states as well as the three Himalayan states, the ratio is 90:10.
Be it, Saubhagvati of Cuttuck, Odisha or the women of Kappol village of Karnataka, every Bharatiya first time mother, irrespective of their religious background, caste or creed have been fortunate beneficiaries to receive a sum to provide for necessary nutritious diet and medication for healthy childbirth under PradhanMantri Matru Vandana Yojna (PMMVY).
The Hon.Prime Minister has always rendered prime importance to welfare schemes that empowers citizens. And especially the citizens, who have been deprived of resources necessary for the growth.
Under, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna, Modiji led Government has paved the route of empowerment through healthy motherhood for underprivileged women.