Women face numerous challenges during pregnancy. A lack of proper facilities can even endanger their lives. Even today, women in many rural areas face significant difficulties due to a lack of awareness. Furthermore, low-income families in rural areas face financial strain, which can put the lives of pregnant women at risk. To address this, both central and state governments run various schemes for pregnant women.
Through government schemes, pregnant women receive benefits such as financial assistance, free medical treatment, nutritional support, and safe delivery services. However, to avail of these benefits, it is important to understand the eligibility criteria, rules, and official details. Let us look at five important schemes implemented for pregnant women.
**Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)**
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a central government scheme designed to encourage women to opt for safe institutional deliveries (giving birth in a hospital). Eligible pregnant women receive financial assistance under this scheme, with the amount varying based on whether the beneficiary is from a rural or urban area. You can find more information about the Janani Suraksha Yojana at nhm.gov.in.
**Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)**
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, women receive financial assistance in installments for their first living child; this support aids with nutrition and health needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For the first child, a pregnant woman receives ₹5,000 in two installments. If the second child is a girl, financial assistance of ₹6,000 is provided. This scheme is intended for women from low-income families. You can get complete details at pmmvy.wcd.gov.in.
**Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)**
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram is a key central government scheme that provides completely free medical treatment and services to pregnant women and sick newborns in government hospitals. Under JSSK, numerous facilities are provided free of cost at government hospitals. These include services such as normal delivery, C-sections, medicines, diagnostic tests, blood transfusions, and transportation to and from the hospital.
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, or the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, is a health insurance coverage scheme. It provides free medical treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh. Beneficiaries can avail themselves of services such as care for high-risk pregnancies, emergency hospitalization, and C-sections when required. Details regarding eligibility and the list of hospitals are available at pmjay.gov.in.
LaQshya Programme
The LaQshya programme is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in March 2018. Its objective is to improve the quality of care in labour rooms and maternity operation theatres. The programme aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality by preventing complications during and immediately after childbirth, and to ensure respectful, high-quality maternity care for pregnant women in public health facilities.
In addition to this, there are other schemes providing support related to nutrition, health, and ambulance services for expectant mothers.
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