New Delhi: Union Health Ministry will launch nationwide PMSMA celebrations on June 9 to mark 10 years of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, a flagship programme aimed at ensuring safe pregnancy and healthy motherhood.
Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda will preside over the inaugural event. The ministry will organise awareness and outreach activities across States and Union Territories to encourage pregnant women to access free antenatal healthcare services.
As part of the programme, Nadda will release a special ₹75 commemorative coin and a ₹5 postal stamp. The ministry said the releases would honour a decade of efforts to strengthen maternal healthcare services across the country.
Launched on June 9, 2016, the initiative provides free and comprehensive antenatal care services to pregnant women on the ninth day of every month. Over the past decade, the programme has expanded access to quality healthcare and counselling services.
PMSMA celebrations highlight maternal health achievements
The ministry said the campaign will promote awareness about the nine assured free services available under the scheme. Furthermore, officials aim to encourage timely antenatal check-ups and improve maternal health outcomes.
PMSMA forms a key component of the government’s Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health strategy. Consequently, the programme has played an important role in expanding healthcare coverage for pregnant women.
Officials said the initiative improved access to diagnostics, counselling and quality antenatal care during the last decade. Moreover, it contributed to efforts aimed at reducing maternal mortality and strengthening neonatal healthcare services.
The celebrations will continue across the country with activities designed to highlight the programme’s achievements and encourage wider participation in maternal healthcare services.
