Gonda: The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), a flagship initiative aimed at promoting institutional deliveries, is strengthening maternal and newborn healthcare across Uttar Pradesh’s Devipatan division. During the first four months of the current financial year, from April to July 2026, a total of 45,333 institutional deliveries were recorded across the division’s four districts.
The increased reliance on health facilities for childbirth has enabled pregnant women to receive care under the supervision of trained doctors and healthcare personnel. Institutional deliveries also ensure that women can access timely medical intervention if complications arise during labour or immediately after childbirth.
According to Dr Santlal Patel, In-charge Additional Director and Chief Medical Officer, complications such as excessive bleeding, high blood pressure, seizures during or after delivery, including eclampsia, and fluctuations in the fetal heartbeat can develop suddenly. While such emergencies can become life-threatening during home deliveries, health facilities are equipped with trained doctors, paramedical staff, essential medicines and medical equipment to identify complications and provide immediate treatment.
Financial Assistance Encourages Institutional Deliveries
Launched in 2005, the Janani Suraksha Yojana encourages women to opt for institutional deliveries so that mothers and newborns receive timely medical care. Under the scheme, women are provided financial assistance after childbirth to support better nutrition and post-delivery care. Eligible women in rural areas receive Rs 1,400, while beneficiaries in urban areas receive Rs 1,000, with the assistance transferred directly to their bank accounts.
The scheme has also emerged as an important link between pregnant women and the wider public healthcare system. By encouraging women to visit health facilities for childbirth, it helps bring them into contact with antenatal care, institutional delivery services, postnatal care and newborn health services.
Rahul Patel, Divisional Programme Manager of the National Health Mission, said JSY should not be viewed merely as a scheme providing financial assistance after delivery. It also serves as a mechanism for connecting expectant mothers with healthcare institutions and ensuring continuity of maternal and child health services.
Data from the Mantra portal shows that between April and July, 33,431 registered beneficiaries were recorded across the four districts of Devipatan division. Of these, 31,439 women, or nearly 94 per cent, had received the benefits of the scheme.
District-wise figures show that Bahraich recorded 17,143 institutional deliveries, with 9,524 women covered under JSY. In Gonda, 11,611 institutional deliveries were reported, while 8,751 women received scheme benefits. Balrampur recorded 9,499 institutional deliveries, with 7,662 beneficiaries receiving assistance. In Shravasti, 7,080 institutional deliveries were recorded and 5,502 women were covered under the scheme.
Health officials have also advised pregnant women coming to healthcare facilities for delivery to carry essential documents to ensure smooth access to services and JSY assistance. These include the beneficiary’s Aadhaar card, updated bank passbook and Jachcha-Bachcha Suraksha Card.
The rising number of institutional deliveries in Devipatan division highlights the growing role of government health facilities in improving maternal and newborn safety. Through a combination of financial incentives, medical supervision and access to emergency care, JSY continues to encourage safer childbirth practices while bringing more women into the formal healthcare network.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
