Steps taken by Government of India to improve Women’s Health

Source: The post is based on the article “Steps taken by Government of India to improve Women’s Health”  published in PIB on 8th August 2023.

What is the News?

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare has informed Lok Sabha about the steps taken to improve Women’s Health.

What are the steps taken by the Government of India to improve women’s health?

Comprehensive Primary Health Care(CPHC) through Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs): In 2018, the Government of India announced 1,50,000 Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) to be established across the country by December 2022. 

– The existing Sub- Health Centres (SHC), Primary Health Centres (PHC) and Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHC) are transformed into AB-HWCs to deliver Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) that includes preventive, promotive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative services which are universal, free, and closer to the community.

National Free Drugs Initiative: States/UTs are supported to provide essential drugs based on the level of public health facilities free of cost to all who access these facilities.

Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN)

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): It is a demand promotion and conditional cash transfer scheme.It was launched in 2005 with the objective of reducing Maternal and Infant Mortality by promoting institutional delivery among pregnant women.

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): It aims to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for pregnant women and sick infants by entitling them to free delivery including caesarean section, free transport, diagnostics, medicines, other consumables, diet and blood in public health institutions.

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): It was launched in 2016.It provides pregnant women fixed day, free of cost assured and quality Antenatal Care on the 9th day of every month. The program ensures that women in their second or third trimesters of pregnancy receive a minimum package of antenatal care services at designated government health facilities. It adopts a systematic approach to engage the private sector by motivating private practitioners to volunteer, developing strategies to raise awareness, and encouraging private sector participation in the campaign at government health facilities. 

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): It came into effect from 2017.It is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme under which cash benefits are provided to pregnant women in their bank account directly to meet enhanced nutritional needs and partially compensate for wage loss.

Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative (LaQshya): It was launched in 2017.It aims to improve the quality of care in labour room and maternity operation theatres to ensure that pregnant women receive respectful and quality care during delivery and immediate post-partum period.