Patna: A total of 1,83,542 pregnant women received antenatal check-up (ANC) services at special health camps organized across 12,448 health institutions in Bihar on Thursday. This large-scale drive marked the completion of ten years of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA).
High-Risk Pregnancies Identified
During the camps, health officials identified 14,506 high-risk pregnancies. Immediate steps were initiated for necessary medical management and referrals to ensure timely care for these women.
Health Minister's Remarks
Health Minister Nishant expressed satisfaction with the campaign, stating that PMSMA has significantly strengthened maternal health services over the past decade. He emphasized that the initiative ensures access to routine check-ups, medical counselling, and timely care in complicated cases.
Camp Organization
Special camps were held in all districts at 1,277 regular PMSMA sites and 11,171 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. A well-planned deployment of doctors, specialists, auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), ASHA workers, and other health personnel ensured smooth operations.
Services Provided
Among the 1,83,542 pregnant women who received ANC services, 1,06,365 were attended at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and 77,177 at designated PMSMA sites. Services included blood pressure monitoring, blood tests, weight checks, foetal assessment, and other essential examinations. Women were also counselled on balanced nutrition, safe delivery practices, newborn care, and maternal wellbeing.
Management of High-Risk Cases
The drive aimed to identify high-risk pregnancies and ensure timely intervention. Of the 14,506 high-risk cases identified, 11,708 were managed at the camp sites themselves, while 2,063 women were referred to higher-level facilities for specialized care.
Officials' Statements
Health department secretary Kumar Ravi noted that PMSMA is one of the country's key maternal health initiatives and has been developed into a mass movement in Bihar with visible positive outcomes. Since its launch in June 2016, over 77 lakh pregnant women in the state have benefited under the scheme.
