Health Min recognises Haryana’s efforts in MMR decline

Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recognised Haryana’s efforts in Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) decline and ‘Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan’ (PMSMA) at the “I Pledge for 9” achiever’s awards ceremony organised at New Delhi on Friday evening.

Haryana received award for its exceptional performance under PMSMA, a statement said on Saturday.

Health Minister Anil Vij said the awards were presented by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, JP Nadda and Mission Director, NHM, Haryana, Amneet P Kumar along with the State Head Quarter Maternal Health team received the PMSMA Achiever’s award for Haryana.

Apart from this, two private doctors of Haryana, Dr Vandana Punia from district Bhiwani and Dr. Anita Sharma from district Gurugram were also awarded for their contribution in PMSMA.

Vij said sincere efforts of the Health Department have yielded results in the form of an impressive decline in the State’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) by 26 points as per recently released Sample Registration System (SRS) 2014-16. The MMR of Haryana has reduced to 101 in 2016 from 127 in 2013 SRS, against the National average of 130.

The Minister said PMSMA has been introduced by Government of India with the aim of ensuring quality antenatal care to all pregnant women. Under this campaign, routine Antenatal check-up, screening, diagnostic services including Ultra Sound, drugs are being provided free of cost to pregnant women besides counseling on nutrition, family planning and birth preparedness on the 9th day of every month at the Public Health facilities designated for PMSMA.

He said Private Doctors are also volunteering their services in this Abhiyaan at designated Government health facilities. PMSMA is being implemented successfully in all the 22 districts of Haryana since July 2016, he added.