Sri Vijaya Puram, June 6: Health authorities across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are preparing to conduct a special maternal healthcare drive on June 9 as part of the nationwide observance marking the 10th anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), a flagship programme aimed at ensuring safe pregnancies and improved maternal health outcomes.
The programme, launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on June 9, 2016, provides fixed-day, free and comprehensive antenatal care services to pregnant women, particularly those in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
To commemorate a decade of the initiative, health facilities throughout the Islands will organise enhanced screening activities under the theme “10 Years of PMSMA: Safer Pregnancies, Healthier Mothers, Stronger India.”
Officials said the observance is intended to strengthen maternal healthcare services, improve the early identification of high-risk pregnancies and ensure that expectant mothers receive timely medical attention.
Under PMSMA, dedicated antenatal care services are provided on the 9th day of every month at health facilities across the country. The programme seeks to ensure that every pregnant woman has access to quality healthcare services during pregnancy, irrespective of her socio-economic background.
Medical Officers and Obstetricians play a key role in delivering these services, which include routine health examinations, risk assessments, counselling and referrals wherever necessary.
As part of the anniversary observance, special Ayushman Arogya Shivirs will be conducted across the Islands. Health officials will identify, counsel and mobilise eligible pregnant women to attend PMSMA sessions and avail themselves of the expanded range of antenatal care services.
Particular emphasis will be placed on women identified as High-Risk Pregnancy (HRP) cases, who require closer monitoring and specialised medical attention during pregnancy.
Health authorities noted that early identification and management of high-risk pregnancies remain critical to reducing maternal and neonatal complications.
The planned activities will include consultations by specialists, ultrasonography services, blood investigations and other essential maternal health assessments.
Officials said these services are intended to support timely diagnosis and intervention, thereby improving outcomes for both mothers and newborns.
The Health Department has also directed field-level healthcare workers and officials to undertake awareness and mobilisation activities to ensure maximum participation by eligible beneficiaries.
The programme is expected to involve a coordinated effort by doctors, nurses, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and other frontline health workers.
Maternal health remains a key public health priority across the country, with programmes such as PMSMA focusing on reducing preventable maternal and infant deaths through regular monitoring and timely medical care.
Since its launch in 2016, PMSMA has sought to improve access to quality antenatal services by ensuring that pregnant women receive comprehensive health check-ups at designated intervals during pregnancy.
The initiative has also helped strengthen referral mechanisms for women requiring advanced medical care and specialist intervention.
Health experts emphasize that routine antenatal care plays an important role in detecting conditions such as anaemia, hypertension, gestational diabetes and other complications that may pose risks during pregnancy.
By providing access to specialist consultations and diagnostic services, the programme aims to facilitate early treatment and reduce adverse health outcomes.
Officials said the June 9 observance would serve both as a healthcare intervention and an awareness campaign highlighting the importance of regular antenatal check-ups and institutional healthcare services during pregnancy.
The Health Department has appealed to eligible pregnant women across the Islands to attend the PMSMA sessions and avail themselves of the free services being offered.
Authorities expressed hope that the special anniversary activities would further strengthen maternal healthcare delivery in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and contribute to healthier pregnancies, safer childbirth and improved maternal and child health indicators.
The observance is expected to witness participation from healthcare professionals and beneficiaries across the archipelago as the programme marks a decade of service in promoting safe motherhood and maternal well-being.
