Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Pregnant women have not been receiving nutritious food under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) at District Hospital for the past six months. The scheme, designed to provide milk, laddoos, and bananas to support maternal and child health, has been on hold since August due to non-payment to the vendor responsible for food distribution.
The delay has left many women, especially from poor and needy families, struggling to meet their nutritional needs. The lack of timely nutrition is directly impacting the health of mothers and their unborn children. Under PMSMA, food is supposed to be distributed on the 9th and 25th of each month during hospital visits.
However, administrative lapses and poor monitoring have caused the scheme’s failure at the country’s cleanest district hospitals. The hospital, which also serves women from nearby districts, has faced additional challenges due to its ongoing construction.
However, the health department officials have assured that food distribution will resume soon after discussions with the vendor.
“ When we registered under the campaign, we were told we would get laddoos, bananas, etc., to maintain our health. But I have been coming here for three months and haven’t received anything.”
-Kanchan, a pregnant woman, at the District Hospital
We had given the contract to a firm, but food supply stopped due to non-payment. Discussions have been held, and food distribution will resume on the 25th.”
-Dr GL Sodhi, in-charge CMHO
