Lack of Evaluation, Poor Budget Allocation, and Lack of Awareness Plague Maternity Support Scheme.
Team NewsPrism
NEW DELHI- Rubeena Sheikh, a resident of Rafeeq Nagar, Mumbai, recently gave birth to her second child and eagerly awaited the Rs 6,000 allowance promised under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). However, her story unveils the turbulent journey pregnant women face in accessing government schemes aimed at promoting maternal and child health. Despite efforts to enhance awareness and reach, experts highlight significant hurdles in the implementation of PMMVY, calling attention to stagnant budgets and diminishing resources.
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, initiated in 2017, offers financial support to pregnant women and lactating mothers, aiming to improve their wellbeing and health-seeking behavior. However, challenges persist, hindering its effectiveness and reach.
Agency and Awareness
Rubeena’s experience sheds light on the hurdles faced by pregnant women, especially those in rural areas. From navigating bureaucratic procedures to accessing healthcare facilities, the journey towards availing PMMVY is fraught with challenges. Limited access to essential documents like bank details and identification cards exacerbates the situation, leaving many women unable to benefit from the scheme.
Experts point out the lack of agency among rural women, compounded by cultural norms and traditions that restrict their mobility and decision-making. Despite efforts to promote antenatal care, the lack of awareness and deep-rooted beliefs pose significant barriers to accessing essential healthcare services.
Crippling Lack of Services
Maternal health remains a pressing concern in India, with high rates of malnutrition and maternal mortality. The inadequate infrastructure and shortage of skilled healthcare professionals further exacerbate the situation, leaving many pregnant women without access to essential care.
Experts emphasize the need for investment in public health systems and education to address the underlying challenges facing maternal and child health in India. Without adequate support and resources, the burden falls disproportionately on marginalized communities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
Changes and Delays
The evolving nature of government schemes adds another layer of complexity to the issue. Frequent changes in guidelines and procedures deter eligible beneficiaries from accessing the support they are entitled to. Moreover, the lack of continuity and consistency undermines trust in the system, further widening the gap between intent and implementation.
Stalling Installments and Decreasing Budgets
Despite an increase in beneficiaries, the budget allocated for PMMVY remains stagnant, failing to keep pace with rising demand and inflation. The decrease in funding reflects broader inadequacies in the allocation of resources for maternal and child health, raising concerns among experts about the government’s commitment to addressing these pressing issues.
Urgent Call for Evaluation
As challenges persist, experts emphasize the need for rigorous evaluation and monitoring of existing schemes. Without comprehensive data and analysis, it is impossible to gauge the effectiveness of interventions or identify areas for improvement. Adequate evaluation is essential to ensure that maternal and child health programs are meeting the needs of vulnerable populations and addressing systemic barriers to access.
While schemes like PMMVY hold the potential to significantly impact maternal and child health outcomes, their effectiveness hinges on robust implementation, adequate resources, and a commitment to addressing underlying challenges. Without urgent action and investment, the aspirations of millions of pregnant women and lactating mothers remain unfulfilled, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.