Question 67 from UPSC CSE 2023 - Social Issues/Sch emes

Question

Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana:
1. It is a safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments.
2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.
3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.
4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Only two

Strategy: The strategy focuses on identifying correct statements regarding the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) based on its implementers and beneficiaries.

- Statement 1 is deemed inaccurate as JSY is centrally sponsored under the National Health Mission, with State implementation, not solely 'State Health Departments'.
- Statements 2 and 3 correctly describe JSY's core aims: reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, and promoting institutional delivery for poor pregnant women.
- Statement 4 is rejected because it pertains to sick infants and broader health services, aligning with the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK), not JSY.

This evaluation concludes that only two statements are accurate.

Key Info: ## Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) Overview

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), launched in 2005, is a centrally sponsored scheme operating under the National Health Mission (NHM), previously the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

### Core Objectives
The primary aim of JSY is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.

### Key Mechanisms
- **ASHAs:** Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) are crucial field workers, particularly in Low Performing States (LPS).
- **Financial Incentives:** The scheme provides cash assistance as a direct benefit to women who choose to deliver in government or accredited private health facilities, thereby incentivizing safe delivery.

### Implementation
JSY is implemented across all States and Union Territories. While the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare coordinates the scheme at the Centre, States and UTs play a vital role in its execution.

### Distinction from Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK)
It is important to note that JSY has specific objectives and does not cover:
- Treatment for sick infants.
- Universal free healthcare for all infants up to one year.

These broader benefits, including free care for pregnant women and sick newborns with all expenses covered in government health facilities, are provided under a separate National Health Mission initiative: the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK).

JSY strictly focuses on maternal health by encouraging institutional births among the economically disadvantaged, thereby reducing their out-of-pocket expenditure and increasing access to safe delivery services.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Only one

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Only three

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: All four