Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Eligibility and Benefits

Indian Government has launched several schemes from time to time to keep in mind all groups. Janani Suraksha Yojana is one of them to help and provide some financial basic required benefits to poor pregnant women. Janani Suraksha Yojana is a centrally sponsored scheme which provides cash assistance with delivery and post-delivery care. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) has identified Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) as an effective link between the government and pregnant women.

What is Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a scheme that provides basic financial help to poor pregnant women to birth a child. The objective of this scheme is to reduce maternal and infant mortality by promoting institutional delivery.

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is run under the National Health Mission (NHM). Janani Suraksha Yojana was launched on 12 April 2005 by the Honorable Prime Minister and implemented in all States and Union Territory with a special focus on Low Performing States (LPS).

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) scheme is an upgraded version of the National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS). National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS) has been replaced by the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). However, the cash benefits of the National Maternity Benefit Scheme have been incorporated into the Janani Suraksha Yojana. The NMBS came into effect in August 1995. The scheme was transferred from the Ministry of Rural Development to the Department of Health & Family Welfare in the year 2001-02.

The NMBS used to provide financial assistance of Rs. 500/- per birth up to two live births to poor pregnant women who have attained 19 years of age and belong to the below poverty line (BPL) households. When JSY provides the financial assistance of Rs. 500/- which was available uniformly throughout the country to BPL pregnant women on the basis of categorization of States as well as whether the beneficiary (pregnant woman) is from a rural/urban area.

Eligibility for Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

• All pregnant women who are belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.
• Women of the age of 19 years or above.
• Up to two live births.

Classification of States Under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

Under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) the states have been classified into two categories, first Low Performing States (LPS) and second High Performing States (HPS).

What is Low Performing States (LPS)

The states having institutional delivery of 25% or less are called Low Performing States (LPS).

Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Odisha, Assam and Jammu & Kashmir is classified as Low Performing States (LPS).

What is High Performing States (HPS)

The states having institutional delivery rates of more than 25% are classified as High Performing States (HPS).

Apart from the above 10 LPS rest of the states are grouped into High Performing States (HPS).

What is Institutional Delivery

Institutional Delivery means giving birth to a child in a medical institution or hospital under the supervision of trained personnel or doctor and having facilities to handle critical situations to save the life of the mother and child.

Benefits Under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

• JSY scheme helps a poor pregnant woman financially to birth a child.
• JSY scheme promotes institutional delivery to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
• Under the JSY scheme, eligible pregnant women get the JSY benefits directly to their bank accounts.
• A cash facility is also available under the JSY scheme who don’t have or get the benefit in a bank account.
• JSY scheme focuses on both Low Performing States (LPS) and High Performing States (HPS).
• JSY scheme especially focuses on Low Performing States (LPS) that have low institutional delivery rates.
• JSY scheme also provides performance base incentives to women health volunteers known as ASHA workers.

Eligibility for Cash Assistant Under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

Cash Assistance for Institutional Delivery Under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

Cash Assistance for Home Delivery Under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

Janani Suraksha Yojana discourages home delivery but as per the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s direction, it is mandatory to provide cash assistance for home delivery. In the case of home delivery, the cash benefits of JSY are as provided under NMBS. It would be the responsibility of the ANM, and ASHA to counsel the pregnant woman to deliver in a health institution.

Hence, BPL pregnant women, who prefer to deliver at home, are entitled to cash assistance of Rs. 500 per delivery regardless of the age of the pregnant woman and the number of children.

Role of ASHA under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

The ASHA worker is a bridge between the government and pregnant women. ASHA worker acts as a facilitator and an important component of the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) strategy. Her main roles are as follows:

• Identify pregnant women as a beneficiary of the scheme and report or facilitate registration for ANC (Ante Natal Check-up).
• Assist the pregnant woman to obtain necessary certifications wherever necessary.
• Provide and/or help the women in receiving at least three ANC including TT injections, IFA tablets.
• Identify a functional Government health centre or an accredited private health institution for referral and delivery,
• Counsel for institutional delivery.
• Escort the beneficiary woman to the pre-determined health centre and stay with her till the woman is discharged.
• Arrange to immunize the newborn till the age of 10 weeks.
• Inform ANM/MO about the birth or death of the child or mother.
• Post natal visit within 7 days of delivery and track mother’s health.
• Counsel for initiation of breastfeeding to the newborn within one hour of delivery and its continuance till 3-6 months and promote family planning.

Conclusion

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a very good scheme run by the Indian Government to help poor pregnant women financially and do some necessary arrangements to birth a child. It also educates pregnant women through ASHA workers about the benefit of institutional delivery. This scheme discourages home delivery and promotes institutional delivery to reduce maternal and infant mortality.

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