Women and the child mortality rate is a serious concern in India. The Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan or SUMAN Yojana was introduced to prevent such issues and promote better health measures.

This initiative by the Central Government provides free medical facilities to infants and pregnant women.

In detail, keep reading to understand the PMSMA programme and related facts such as objectives, eligibility, documentation, etc.

SUMAN Yojana or Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan Yojana is a maternity benefit initiative launched by the Ministry of Union Health and Family Welfare. This programme provides affordable and quality healthcare solutions to pregnant women and newborns.

Under this scheme, pregnant women, sick newborns, and mothers receive zero expense access up to six months after delivery. They receive treatment from quality hospitals and professionals.

The PMSMA programme allows four antenatal check-ups during the 1st trimester and check-ups under Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan.

Let us look at the objectives of the Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) Yojana in detail.

Following are the objectives of the SUMAN scheme that Government aims to achieve -

• This scheme offers zero expenses access to detection and management of complications during and after pregnancy.
• Pregnant women can avail a zero expense delivery and C-section facility at public health facilities.
• SUMAN scheme ensures zero-tolerance for denial of services to children and pregnant women.
• Pregnant women also receive free transport from home to the health facility and drop back after discharge.
• This initiative facilitates respectful care with privacy and support for breastfeeding.
• Facilities such as services for sick newborns and neonates and vaccination is offered for zero cost.

However, to gain these benefits, applicants have to fulfil certain eligibility parameters.

All pregnant women and newborns are eligible to avail of the benefits under PM SUMAN Yojana. Following are the general requirements -

• Pregnant women from all categories, including APL and BPL, are eligible to get the benefits
• Newborns aged 0 to 6 months old will be able to avail the benefits of this scheme
• After delivery, lactating mothers up to 6 months from delivery are also eligible for this scheme

Beneficiaries have to make an application for SUMAN yojana registration to avail the benefits offered by the said scheme.

Individuals have to visit civil hospitals in their respective areas to register themselves for the PM SUMAN Yojana. Ideally, they have to fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit the mentioned documents to register for the scheme.

The civil hospitals of all the districts abide by the rules mandated by the Health Ministry. However, if there are some discrepancies, individuals can log in to the SUMAN website and file a complaint. Individuals have to submit certain documents to prove their verification.

The documents necessary for PMSMA scheme are as follows -

• Identity proof, comprising Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving license, voter ID card, etc.
• Women's pregnancy details from a concerned hospital
• Address proof, such as valid passport, Aadhaar card, utility bill, property tax bill, telephone bill, etc.

Now let's understand the benefits offered by this scheme.

Following are the benefits of SUMAN Yojana -

• The scheme allows zero expense delivery and C-section facilities at public health facilities.
• Beneficiaries will get four antenatal check-ups, one check-up during the 1st trimester, and one check-up under Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan.
• The scheme also covers Tetanus-Diphtheria injection iron-folic acid supplementation, six home-based newborn care visits and components of ANC package.
• Pregnant women will get free transport from home to the health facility and will get dropped back after discharge.
• Counselling and IEC/BCC facilities for safe motherhood
•  Pregnant women will receive hassle-free access to all medical facilities.

These are some essential information on SUMAN Yojana and the factors related to it. Individuals should register themselves at a civil hospital to avail the benefits of this scheme.