What is the primary objective of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) in India?

NORCERT 8 Mains-2025

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: NORCERT 8 Mains-2025

Explanation

The primary goal of PMSMA is to provide fixed-day, free, and quality antenatal care (ANC) to all pregnant women.
A key component of this initiative is the early detection and management of high-risk pregnancies to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.
Services are offered on the 9th of every month, targeting women in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
The program utilizes a public-private partnership model, involving volunteer specialists to provide care.

Option A: Providing family planning services is a component of the broader Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) program, not the specific, primary objective of PMSMA.
Option C: Promoting and incentivizing institutional deliveries is the main objective of the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY).
Option D: PMSMA specifically focuses on the antenatal (before birth) period. Postnatal care (after birth) is addressed by other programs like Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK).

Visual 1: Infographic: A chart showing the PMSMA color-coded sticker system (Green, Red, Blue, Yellow) and what each color signifies for risk stratification in pregnancy. This helps in quick identification and management of high-risk cases.
Visual 2: Flowchart: A diagram illustrating the process flow for a pregnant woman under PMSMA, from registration on the 9th of the month to examination, investigations, risk identification, and follow-up.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain National Health Programs in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in PMSMA clinics by conducting initial screenings, assisting doctors, managing patient flow, and ensuring all investigations are completed.
A key nursing responsibility is to correctly apply the color-coded sticker to the MCP card based on the doctor's assessment and to explain its significance to the pregnant woman.
Nurses and ANMs are crucial for tracking high-risk (red sticker) cases, ensuring they attend follow-up appointments and receive specialized care.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is the 'Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)'.
Next, focus on the keyword 'primary objective'. This requires you to know the main goal of this specific program.
Recall or deduce the focus of PMSMA. The name itself, 'Surakshit Matritva' (Safe Motherhood), points towards care during pregnancy.
Evaluate each option against the known purpose of PMSMA. Differentiate it from other related maternal health programs like JSY (institutional delivery) and JSSK (postnatal care).
Select the option that accurately describes the provision of antenatal care and the identification of high-risk pregnancies, which are the defining features of PMSMA.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: National Health Programs in India
Stem keywords: Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, PMSMA, primary objective
Lead-in keywords: What is

QIT_eOiJrUkr-U-nPij2Xp