Centre Marks Decade of Safe Motherhood Initiative, Expands Focus on High-Risk Pregnancies

NEW DELHI, Jun 10: The Union Government on Tuesday launched nationwide celebrations marking ten years of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), highlighting the programme’s contribution to improving maternal healthcare and reducing pregnancy related risks across the country.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated the campaign under the theme “10 Years of PMSMA – A Decade of Care”, describing the milestone as a significant achievement in India’s efforts to ensure safer pregnancies and healthier mothers.

Launched on June 9, 2016, PMSMA was designed to provide free, comprehensive and quality antenatal care services to pregnant women on the ninth day of every month. Over the last decade, the programme has evolved into one of the country’s largest maternal healthcare initiatives, reaching millions of women, particularly in rural and underserved regions.

According to the Health Ministry, the initiative has played a crucial role in strengthening early identification and management of high-risk pregnancies. Through regular screening, specialist consultations and diagnostic services, the programme has helped improve maternal health outcomes and reduce complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Officials said awareness drives, health camps and outreach programmes will be conducted across States and Union Territories during the anniversary celebrations. The campaign aims to encourage pregnant women and their families to take advantage of free antenatal healthcare services available under the programme.

The government highlighted that more than seven crore pregnant women have benefited from antenatal care services under PMSMA since its launch. Health experts believe the programme has significantly strengthened institutional healthcare support for expectant mothers and improved access to specialist medical care.

The initiative has also contributed to India’s broader efforts to reduce maternal mortality. Healthcare professionals attribute the progress to improved screening mechanisms, better referral systems and enhanced monitoring of high-risk pregnancies.

Maternal health specialists note that early detection remains the most effective strategy for preventing pregnancy-related complications. Conditions such as anaemia, hypertension, gestational diabetes and fetal growth abnormalities can be identified during routine antenatal visits and managed before they become life-threatening.

Officials said the next phase of PMSMA will focus on expanding digital health integration, improving referral networks and strengthening healthcare infrastructure in remote areas. The ministry also plans to increase community awareness regarding maternal nutrition, safe deliveries and postnatal care.

Public health experts welcomed the anniversary celebrations, stating that maternal healthcare remains a critical component of India’s healthcare system. They emphasized the need for sustained investments in rural healthcare facilities, trained medical personnel and awareness campaigns to further improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.

The programme has gained recognition for encouraging collaboration between government hospitals, healthcare professionals and local communities. Medical officers, specialists and accredited health workers continue to play a vital role in identifying and monitoring high-risk pregnancies.

As India commemorates a decade of PMSMA, policymakers view the initiative as an important pillar in the country’s healthcare framework, with a continued focus on ensuring that no woman is deprived of quality antenatal care regardless of her location or economic status.