Utilization of free referral transport services- 102 or Mahatari Express under Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram in rural block of Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Background: Mahatari Express or 102 [an initiative of Family and Health welfare department (Government of India) and Government of Chhattisgarh under Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK project)] is the dedicated vehicle for cashless transport of pregnant women from home to hospital (pick up), hospital to home (drop back) and hospital to hospital (inter facility transfer) for institutional delivery. Objective was to assess the utilization of free referral transport (Mahatari express) service in rural block of Chhattisgarh. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study done in selected 32 villages of Dharsiwa, a rural block of Raipur district among 352 mothers having child less than one year using multistage random sampling from July 2015 to June 2016. Results: Among all mothers, 72% mothers delivered in the public health facility. Out of this mother who delivered in government facility, 161.27% availed this Mahatari express to reach the facility for delivery while 66.80% availed only drop back facility from home to institute. 57.70% mothers benefited with both the way cost free transport using Mahatari Express. Conclusions: Though Mahatari express was started in the year 2013 in Chhattisgarh, but less percentage of pregnant females had utilized both way free referral services to government facility during delivery.