India ’s child and maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the world. Increased use of maternal child health and family planning information and services improves health for this vulnerable population. In northern India, where child and maternal mortality rates are especially high, effective family planning and reproductive health services are limited.

The Maternal and Child Health Voucher program enables poor women to access reproductive healthcare services free of cost. Under the scheme, approximately 1,200,000 persons will receive health services using vouchers at accredited private health clinics. The scheme is unique and serves as an example of demand-side financing for health care services. The services provided under the voucher include ante natal care (three check ups and diagnostic services), delivery (normal, complicated and caesarean), post natal care (two check ups), family planning services (condom and pill counseling, IUD insertions, male and female sterilizations), child immunization and reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted infections treatment. Vouchers allow women who are below the poverty line to choose their health service providers, based on the quality offered by private providers.