Jaipur- The Rajasthan government is launching the 'Maa Voucher' scheme on Thursday to provide free sonography services to pregnant women across the state. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma will officially inaugurate the scheme at a ceremony held at the Chief Minister's residence at 2 PM. This initiative, which began as a pilot project in Baran, Bharatpur, and Phalodi on March 8 of this year, is now being expanded to cover the entire state.

Key Features of the Maa Voucher Scheme:

• Implementation: The scheme will be rolled out statewide, starting 8 August 2024.

• Objective: The goal is to enhance maternal health, reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, and provide free sonography services to pregnant women, particularly in remote areas.

• Launching Ceremony: Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma will launch the scheme at the Chief Minister's residence, with guidance 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 get free sonography at both government and private sonography centers.

• Eligibility: Women who are 84 days pregnant or more can avail of 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, though this extension is 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.

• Special Focus: The scheme is designed to provide free sonography in areas where government hospitals do not have sonography facilities. Private centers will offer free services during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

• The Maa Voucher scheme aims to promote safe motherhood, encourage the safe delivery initiative, and reduce infant and maternal mortality rates by providing essential sonography services.