Maternal mortality in Bharat is the maternal death of a woman during or after pregnancy, including post-abortion or post-childbirth. Pregnancy involves a vulnerability that put women at risk of dying, and Bharat is one of the many countries that recorded a high amount of pregnancy-related deaths of women each year. Women die as a result of complications during and following pregnancy and childbirth or abortions. Most of these complications are preventable or treatable if addresses by an efficient medical person at technically sound hospitals.
Bharat used to contribute one-fifth of the global burden of absolute maternal deaths earlier. It was a prevalent custom especially in rural Bharat to perform the delivery of woman at home. In homebound deliveries were done by midwives, not having acquired formal training. She performed the delivery using primitive methods and semi-sterilised equipment. They hardly had access to advanced medication or emergency healthcare facilities.
Such a scenario resulted in a high Maternal Mortality Ratio.
Lately, the exposure and education regarding hospital delivery and pre and postnatal care during childbirth, is leading to declining in MMR (Maternal Mortality Ratio).
Hon. Prime Minister has witnessed the misery of non-availability of updated healthcare facilities in rural and remote areas and its consequences of the untimely death of mother and infant due to his humble upbringing. Hence, he had perceived devoted determination to change the condition of mothers-to-be.
In Modi 2-0, the NDA Government launched the Suraskshit Matritva Aashwasan Suman Scheme on the 10th of October 2019. This scheme provides free healthcare facilities to pregnant women and the newborn infant For Six months. It includes Four checkups before childbirth, a check-up of the newborn infant, the provision of necessary iron supplements and other vitamins and above all, a free commutation facility from home to the maternity hospital for the pregnant woman.
Madhya Pradesh has been the first state to implement this scheme from 27th March 2021.
The important objective for launching this initiative is, that no woman should suffer in her pregnancy and childbirth due to lack of money to afford healthcare. There had been numerous instances when the Mother or the child would lose life because of being unable to afford the medical expenses.
All pregnant women, newborns and mothers upto 6 months of delivery would be able to avail of several free healthcare services under this scheme.
This initiative focuses on assured delivery of maternal and newborn healthcare services encompassing wider access to free, and quality services, zero tolerance for denial of services, assured management of complications and respect for women’s preferences, choices and dignity.
The beneficiaries visiting public health facilities are entitled to several free services such as,
A) At least four antenatal check-ups.
B) Six home-based newborn care visits.
C) One check up during the 1st Trimester.
D) Iron Folic Acid supplentation.
E) Tetanus-Diphtheria injections.
F) Other components under comprehensive ANC package.
G) At least one check up under PMSMA.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare runs various programmes for the welfare of Pregnant Women and newborns.
1. PMSMA-PradhanMantri Suarakshit Matritva Abhiyan
2. LaWSHYA-Labour Room & Quality Improvement Initiative
3. JSSK-Janani-Shishu Suraksha Karyakam
4. JSY-Janani Suraksha Yojna
PMSMASY Safe Motherhood Suman Scheme has been started to provide health benefits to pregnant women. They can avail its benefits at following centres.
Rural areas: Primary health Centres, Rural hospitals, Community Health Centres, Sub-District Hospitals, District Hospitals and Medical College Hospital.
In Urban areas : Urban dispensary, Urban Health Post, Maternity Home.
Online application for PradhanMantri Surakshit Matritva, Aashwasan Yojna can be done on the official website or the Portal. Bharat’s Maternal Mortality rate has come down from 254 per 1,00,000 live births in 2004-2005 to 130 per 1,00,000 live births in 2014-2016.
The infant mortality rate has come down from 66 per 1,000 live births in 2001 to 34 in 2016.
Women constitute 50% of total population in our country. Woman, in traditional society as ours, performs the role of a homemaker and she generally overlooks upon her health. A healthy motherhood is necessary for strengthened population.
Hon.Prime Minister has envisaged Bharat to be ‘Healthy and Wealthy’. He is leaving no stone unturned to ensure dignified motherhood and joyous childhood to the next generation.