‘Free Check-up for pregnant women’, PM announces new scheme in Mann Ki Baat

New Delhi, July 31: During Mann Ki Baat program today, PM Narendra Modi announced a new government scheme–Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan– aiming the health of pregnant women and to curb maternal mortality rates. Modi said that though India’s maternal mortality rate was declining, there were still many pregnant women whose lives could not be saved.

During his Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Modi said that under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, pregnant women can get free healthcare check-ups at government health facilities on the 9th of every month. The programme would include special ANC check-ups for pregnant women. Prime Minister Modi urged private sector hospital to offer the service on a voluntary basis, The Indian Express Reported.

Under the Millenium Development Goal 5, the Government of India had aimed to reduce the maternal mortality ratio to 139 per 1, 00, 000 live births by the year 2015. The Press Information Bureau states that during the period of 2011-2013, the number stands had slipped down to 167.  However, UNICEF data mentions the number rested at 178 deaths in 2012. According to UNICEF, over 55,000 women in India die due to pregnancy-related causes that turn out to be fatal despite being preventable.

The Government of India has launched various schemes to combat these issues. Apart from the latest, Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, another scheme laid down for the benefit of pregnant women is the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) that allows free deliveries for expecting mothers in government health facilities or accredited private healthcare institutions.