Uttar Pradesh is enhancing maternal healthcare through initiatives like PMSMA and JSSK, reducing MMR to 88 per 100,000 live births (2020-22). These programs offer free antenatal care, institutional deliveries, and ASHA worker support, targeting high-risk pregnancies and rural access. Despite progress, challenges like infrastructure gaps and awareness persist, but UP’s efforts align with SDG goals.
Uttar Pradesh’s Push for Safer Motherhood
Declining Maternal Mortality Ratio
Uttar Pradesh has made significant strides in reducing its Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), dropping to 88 per 100,000 live births in 2020-22, as per the Registrar General of India’s Sample Registration System. This marks a 5-point decline from 2019-21, aligning with India’s National Health Policy 2017 target of MMR below 100 and progressing toward the SDG 2030 goal of under 70.
Key Initiatives: PMSMA and JSSK
The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), launched in 2016, ensures free, comprehensive antenatal care on the 9th of every month for women in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters. The Extended PMSMA strategy, introduced in 2022, focuses on tracking high-risk pregnancies with financial incentives for women and ASHA workers for additional visits. The Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), launched in 2011, provides free delivery, including cesarean sections, diagnostics, drugs, and transport, significantly boosting institutional deliveries.
Role of ASHA Workers
Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) are pivotal in UP’s maternal health framework. With over a million ASHAs nationwide, they connect rural and marginalized communities to healthcare services, conducting door-to-door campaigns to promote early antenatal care registration and institutional deliveries. In 2024, 99% of pregnant women in Surgana block registered for ANC in their first trimester, largely due to ASHA outreach.
Continuum of Care Approach
UP’s health programs emphasize a continuum of care, covering antenatal care (ANC), institutional delivery (ID), and postnatal care (PNC). From 2015-21, ANC uptake increased from 51.2% to 58.1%, ID from 78.9% to 88.6%, and PNC from 62.4% to 78%, per NFHS-5 data. This approach ensures comprehensive monitoring and timely interventions, reducing complications like hemorrhage and hypertension.
Challenges in Rural Access
Despite progress, rural areas face infrastructure gaps, with Gujarat’s 2012 RHS Bulletin noting a shortfall of 1,882 health sub-centers, a challenge mirrored in UP. Limited obstetricians and awareness about postnatal care, especially for issues like urinary incontinence, remain hurdles. Only 10% of women return for postnatal checkups in some regions, highlighting the need for stronger follow-up mechanisms.
Innovative Interventions
UP leverages technology through the RCH and PMSMA portals for name-based tracking of pregnant women, ensuring timely ANC, ID, and PNC services. Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days (VHSNDs) integrate maternal care with nutrition awareness, collaborating with the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Additionally, mHealth pilot programs in Punjab have shown promise in enhancing postpartum health knowledge.
Social Determinants and Equity
Addressing social factors like literacy and economic status is crucial. Women with higher education and wealth are more likely to complete the continuum of care (50% in NFHS-5). UP’s focus on marginalized groups, including Scheduled Castes and Tribes, through JSY’s conditional cash transfers, has narrowed the urban-rural divide, with 75% of rural births now supervised compared to 89% in urban areas.
Climate and Health Challenges
Extreme heat poses risks to pregnant women, with Delhi’s 2024 heatwaves highlighting vulnerabilities. ASHA workers in UP are being trained to educate women on hydration and nutrition to mitigate heat-related risks, a growing concern as temperatures rise. This aligns with global calls for integrating maternal health into climate adaptation plans.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent reports, government data, and news sources, including the Registrar General of India, WHO, UNICEF, and Times of India. Information reflects the latest available data as of August 2025. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice.