Source: The Hindu
Context:
Two maternal nutrition schemes have been launched by the Prime Minister in Gujarat as ‘Mukhyamantri Matrushakti Yojana’ and ‘Poshan Sudha Yojana’.
About
Key Highlights of the scheme:
Objective: To provide nutritious food to pregnant and lactating women and their new born children during the first 1000 days.
Scope: It is a pilot project for 10 talukas of five tribal dominated
Fund allocation: 800 crores will be spent under the scheme.
Components: Under this scheme, pregnant and lactating mothers, free of cost, will be given:
Two kg gram
- One kg tur dal
- One kg edible oil
It will be distributed every month from the Anganwadi centers.
Extended to tribal districts: The scheme has been extended up to 14 tribal dominated districts, which will help tribal women to curb from maternal mortality and Infant mortality in the state.
Under this, they provide iron and calcium tablets to pregnant and lactating mothers of tribal districts and to educate them on nutrition.
Mandate for benefits: Under this scheme, pregnant and lactating mothers registered in Anganwadis are provided complete nutritious food.
What is maternal mortality and Infant mortality Rate?
Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is defined as the number of maternal deaths during a given time per 1,00,000 live births during the same time.
Causes of MMR:
The major causes for maternal mortality are
- severe bleeding
- infections
- high blood pressure during pregnancy
- anaemia
- complications from delivery, and unsafe abortions
Seven Indian states have very high maternal mortality: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Odisha and Assam.
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): This rate for a region is calculated by dividing the number of deaths of children less than 1 year old by the number of live births in a year times 1000.
Impact of poor maternal health:
- Malnutrition and Anemia during pregnancy can hinder the development of the foetus and the health of the baby can deteriorate.
- Spread of diseases: Diseases like Uterus cancer, Haemorrhage, Infections and even loss of life can be experienced if proper care is not taken during or after pregnancy.
- Lack of nutrition and unhealthy livelihood is major reason for most of the deaths recorded after giving birth.
Precautions to be taken
- Proper Hygiene and Sanitation is important.
- Nutritious food during and after pregnancy is must.
- Nutrition supplements like Iron Folic Tablets and Calcium tablets can help to recover from Anemia and Weakness.
Other Central scheme for Maternal Health and children
- Janani Suraksha Yojana under the National Health Mission to link cash assistance to institutional deliveries
- The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides a fixed day for assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care free of cost to pregnant women on 9th of every month
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
- Poshan Abhiyan
- LaQshya Guidelines
- SUMAlV- Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan
- Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) framework
