Gujarat : Over 6 Lakh Women Benefit from NAMO Shri

Gandhinagar, Gujarat – As per the data shared by the Gujarat’s Health Department on the occasion of International Mother’s Day, over 6 lakh women have registered under the NAMO Shri scheme in the past year, of which nearly 4 lakh women have received financial assistance of ₹222 crore.

This scheme was specifically launched to provide financial assistance to pregnant women and mothers for their health and nutrition. The support provided to nearly 4 lakh mothers is not only helping them undergo timely health check-ups but is also ensuring access to balanced nutrition for them.

International Mother’s Day: A Time for Honor and Awareness

International Mother’s Day is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of May to honor the contributions of mothers and raise awareness about their rights. This year, it falls on May 11th. The theme for International Mother’s Day 2025 is “Mothers: The Backbone of the Family,” highlighting the fact that mothers are the pillars of the family, and without them, society cannot be imagined.

Gujarat’s NAMO Shri Scheme Transforms the Health and Nutrition Landscape for Mothers

Under the NAMO Shri scheme launched by the Gujarat Government, eligible women receive financial assistance of up to ₹12,000 for their first two live children, distributed in phases. This assistance is provided in conjunction with the benefits received under the central government’s Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) and Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY).

For the first pregnancy, the woman receives a total of ₹12,000 in four phases: ₹5,000 at the time of registration (₹2,000 from the state government and ₹3,000 from the central government), ₹2,000 after six months of pregnancy (from the state government), ₹3,000 immediately after institutional delivery (from the state government), and ₹2,000 after the 14-week vaccination (from the central government).

For the second pregnancy, the assistance process is slightly different. The woman receives ₹2,000 at the time of registration, ₹3,000 after six months of pregnancy, ₹6,000 after institutional delivery (with the amount given by the central government if the newborn is a girl and by the state government if the newborn is a boy), and ₹1,000 from the state government after the 14-week vaccination. This entire amount is transferred directly into the beneficiary woman’s bank account.

PMMVY, JSY, and Khilkhilat Schemes: A Shield of Security for Mothers

In addition to the NAMO Shri scheme, the state government’s other various initiatives such as SUMAN, PMSMA, Mamta, and Khilkhilat are providing women with high-quality healthcare services, regular check-ups, vaccinations, and counseling. These joint efforts between the central and state governments have played a crucial role in significantly reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the state. In 2011-13, Gujarat’s MMR was 112, and by 2020, it had dropped to 57, reflecting an impressive 50% decrease.

This transformation is a direct testament to the state government’s continued commitment and effective implementation of these programs. Furthermore, in Gujarat, over 14 lakh pregnant women receive timely health check-ups and nutritional services each year, and the state has achieved a 99.97% institutional delivery rate, a remarkable achievement at the national level.