PMSMA Completes 10 Years of Advancing Safe Motherhood in India

To commemorate the occasion, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda launched nationwide celebrations under the theme “10 Years of PMSMA – A Decade of Care”.

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), one of India's flagship maternal healthcare programmes, has completed ten years of service, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to ensure safe pregnancies and healthier outcomes for mothers and newborns.

To commemorate the occasion, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda launched nationwide celebrations under the theme "10 Years of PMSMA – A Decade of Care". The programme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 June 2016, was designed to provide free, comprehensive and quality antenatal care services to pregnant women through specialist consultations on the ninth day of every month.

Speaking at the event, Nadda said the programme reflects the government's sustained commitment to improving maternal and child healthcare while supporting the vision of safe motherhood for every family in the country. He noted that the initiative has become a key pillar of India's public health system by expanding access to specialist antenatal services, particularly for women in underserved and remote areas.

More Than 7.5 Crore Antenatal Check-Ups Conducted

Over the past decade, PMSMA has reached millions of women across the country. According to official figures, more than 7.5 crore antenatal check-ups have been conducted under the programme since its launch.

One of its most significant achievements has been the identification of nearly 1.2 crore high-risk pregnancies, allowing healthcare providers to intervene early and ensure closer monitoring of women requiring special medical attention.

The programme received a major boost in January 2022 with the launch of the Extended PMSMA (E-PMSMA) strategy. The initiative introduced systematic tracking and monitoring of high-risk pregnancies until 45 days after delivery. Additional measures such as SMS-based alerts, frontline healthcare support and incentives for ASHA workers have further strengthened follow-up care.

Nadda highlighted the role of ASHA workers, ANMs, nurses, doctors and specialists in ensuring that pregnant women receive regular health assessments, timely referrals and continuous support throughout pregnancy.

The programme has also benefited from strong participation by the private healthcare sector. More than 9,000 private healthcare providers are now registered under PMSMA, significantly expanding specialist care services across states and Union Territories.

Maternal and Child Health Indicators Show Significant Improvement

Government officials pointed to major improvements in maternal and child health indicators over the past decade.

According to the latest United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group report, India has recorded an 86 percent decline in maternal mortality since 1990, compared to a global average decline of 48 percent. The country has also achieved a 79 percent reduction in under-five mortality, surpassing the global decline of 61 percent.

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava noted that India's Maternal Mortality Ratio has fallen from 130 deaths per lakh live births during 2014–16 to 87 during 2022–24. The Neonatal Mortality Rate has also improved, declining from 24 to 18 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Data from the latest National Family Health Survey further reflects progress. Institutional deliveries have reached 90.6 percent, while 95.9 percent of mothers now receive antenatal care. First-trimester registration and multiple antenatal visits have also increased significantly.

As part of the celebrations, the government has launched awareness campaigns across states and Union Territories to encourage pregnant women to utilise the nine assured services available under PMSMA. To mark the programme's tenth anniversary, Nadda also released a ₹75 commemorative coin and a ₹5 postal stamp, recognising the initiative's contribution to strengthening maternal healthcare in India.