The Rajasthan government is set to launch the ‘Maa Voucher’ scheme, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing free sonography services to pregnant women across the state. This scheme is designed to address the lack of sonography facilities in government hospitals, particularly in remote areas. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma will officially inaugurate the scheme at a ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s residence at 2 PM on August 8, 2024. The initiative, which began as a pilot project in Baran, Bharatpur, and Phalodi on March 8, is now being expanded to cover the entire state.
Key Features of the Maa Voucher Scheme
Statewide Implementation: The scheme will be rolled out across Rajasthan, ensuring that pregnant women in all districts have access to free sonography services.
Objective: The primary goals are to enhance maternal health, reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, and provide necessary medical services to pregnant women, especially in areas lacking government facilities.
Launching Ceremony: Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma will launch the scheme at his residence, with support from Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar.
How It Works
QR Code-Based E-Voucher: Pregnant women will receive a QR code-based e-voucher via SMS on their mobile phones. This voucher can be used to access free sonography services at both government and private sonography centers.
Eligibility: Women who are 84 days pregnant or more are eligible for the free sonography service. They must present their Aadhaar card and mobile phone at the medical institution to receive an OTP-based QR voucher, valid for 30 days.
Voucher Validity: If a woman is unable to get the sonography done within the validity period, she can extend it by visiting the medical institution again, with the extension allowed only once.
Additional Details
Initial Pilot: The scheme was first introduced as a pilot project in Baran, Bharatpur, and Phalodi districts on March 8, 2024.
Budget: The annual budget for the scheme is ₹10 crore, indicating a strong financial commitment from the state government to improve maternal healthcare.
Special Focus: The scheme targets areas where government hospitals lack sonography facilities, ensuring that private centers step in to provide free services during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
Impact and Vision
The Maa Voucher scheme is a significant step towards promoting safe motherhood, encouraging safe deliveries, and reducing infant and maternal mortality rates. By providing essential sonography services, the scheme aims to detect and address potential complications during pregnancy, ensuring better health outcomes for both mothers and their babies.
The expansion of this initiative statewide reflects the Rajasthan government’s dedication to improving healthcare infrastructure and accessibility. The QR code-based e-voucher system simplifies the process for pregnant women, making essential medical services more accessible and efficient.
As the Maa Voucher scheme unfolds, it is expected to make a substantial impact on maternal health in Rajasthan, setting a precedent for other states to follow. With continued support and effective implementation, this initiative has the potential to transform the landscape of maternal healthcare in the region.