Janani Suraksha Yojana

What is the Janani Suraksha Yojana Scheme?

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), an intervention program for would-be and new mothers, is an initiative of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). It is aimed at controlling maternal and neo-natal mortality by making institutional delivery services accessible and affordable among poor pregnant women. It is a centrally sponsored scheme that is implemented across States and Union Territories in India.

Janani Suraksha Yojana was launched on 12th April 2005 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, with special focus on low performing states. It integrates cash assistance with delivery and post-delivery care. It is supervised by the Ministry of Health & Family.

The Yojana closely collaborates with ASHA, the accredited healthcare group, which acts as a bridge between the Government and the poor pregnant women in 10 low performing states. These states include the 8 EAG states, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, and the North Eastern States. In all the other eligible states and UTs, AWW (Anganwadi workers) and TBAs or social activists like ASHA have been designated to carry out the responsibilities on behalf of the Government.

Note: All information has been sourced from the official website of National Health Portal of India

Below are the features and benefits of Janani Suraksha Yojana:

• Implementation based on performance of states in the health sector: The healthcare facilities offered by Janani Suraksha Yojana are implemented across all States and Union Territories of India. However, these states are classified into two categories based on their institutional delivery rate – Low Performing States (LPSs) and High Performing States (HPSs). The 10 states refer to the eight EAG states, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, and the North Eastern States.

• Cash assistance linked to Institutional Delivery Under the Janani Suraksha Yojana, the pregnant women are eligible for availing three antenatal check-ups and institutional delivery. Beneficiaries have to register themselves with the health workers at the sub centre or Anganwadi or primary health centres to avail post-natal care and neo-natal care. The disbursement of enhanced benefits under the scheme is linked to institutional delivery.

• Cash Assistance in the graded scale: Another objective of the scheme is to reduce maternal mortality by promoting deliveries at health institutions by qualified professionals like doctors and nurses. Cash assistance is offered to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families to encourage institutional delivery.

• Incentives for ASHA or an equivalent worker: Since Child Survival and Safe Motherhood (CSSM) programme, several traditional birth attendants, known as ‘Dai’, have been trained. These workers are integrated into the delivery care services, under this scheme.

• Professional assistance for Caesarean Section: In the absence of government-employed medical specialists during delivery, assistance of up to Rs. 1500 per pregnant woman is provided for hiring a private expert to carry out the surgery at a healthcare institution.

• Compensation for Tubectomy or Laparoscopy: In case a Tubectomy or Laparoscopy surgery is recommended after delivery, compensation is paid to the beneficiary, as per the family welfare scheme.

• Quick Disbursement of Cash Assistance: The scheme financially supports pregnant women by quickening the process of disbursement. It offers imprest money of Rs. 5000 to every Auxiliary Nurse Midwife or health worker, subject to certain terms and conditions.

• Collaboration with Private Sector: In case of inadequate infrastructural facilities in a certain area of an Indian State or Union Territory, the scheme has tied up with hospitals, nursing homes and clinics from the private sector to offer the necessary healthcare services in such areas.

• Provision to meet administrative expenses: 7% of funds released to a state - the summation of 4% for the district authorities, can be utilized towards administrative expenses for monitoring, IEC and office expenses for implementation of the benefits of Janani Suraksha Yojana.

Individuals belonging to the following category are eligible for the benefits offered by Janani Suraksha Yojana:

• All pregnant women categorized under Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, residing in rural as well as urban areas.
• Monetary assistance can be availed only by pregnant women of the age of 19 years and above. Women below 19 years cannot register themselves under Janani Suraksha Yojana.

• Women with up to two live births are eligible for medical facilities and compensation, as offered by the scheme, can enrol under the scheme.

• Monetary benefits of the scheme can be availed only by women enrolled under the scheme and have delivered in government hospitals or in any private medical center that has been selected by the government.

The following are the initiatives undertaken by PACS along with JSY:

• Undertaken initiatives to improve community awareness about the unique needs of pregnant women and maternal healthcare services that are provided by JSY. It also spreads awareness, along with close collaboration with self-help groups, about the importance of these services to the health of the would-be mother and the baby.

• Works towards increasing the representation of socially excluded groups, with special focus on women, in health committees, encouraging them to voice their concerns.

• Coordinates with local health committees, especially the members from socially excluded groups, to monitor the healthcare services offered by JSY. It also joins hands with local service providers to improve institutions and resolve issues related to discrimination and malpractice.

Here’s how the initiative has impacted women:

• 240,713 women have received help with childbirth related services in an institution under JSY (or a similar state-level maternal health scheme).

• 209,314 of pregnant women received healthcare services like ante-natal and post-natal care, cash payments and breastfeeding, etc.

You can apply for Janani Suraksha Yojana by following these simple steps:

• Visit the official website of Janani Suraksha Yojana and then click on the ‘Apply Online’ option to access the e-registration form.

• You can also do it offline by downloading the form by selecting the ‘Download Offline Form’ link. Choose your preferred language. It is available in English and all local languages.

• The form is divided into several sections. Fill it up with the required information like name of the expecting mother, age, residential address, annual income, etc. Make sure that you mention your personal details accurately to prevent your application from getting rejected.

• Attach all necessary documents as proof of the personal details mentioned by you in the form

• Click on the ‘Submit’ button, if you prefer the online method. A code will be generated, which you have to save for future reference.

The authenticity of the details provided by you will be verified, after which a JYS card will be sent to you through post or via ASHA workers. For the offline method, take a print out of the form after filling up your personal details. Attach the essential document proofs and then submit it at an ASHA or Anganwadi center.

Janani Suraksha Yojana is an initiative to financial support pregnant women with neonatal and post-natal care of poor women from both rural and urban India. It specializes in offering medical facilities and compensation for women who cannot finance these healthcare services on their own. The scheme benefits are especially customized for pregnant women of low performing states to help them access effective and affordable health care.