Benazir Nashonuma Programme: Supporting Maternal and Child Health in Pakistan

The Benazir Nashonuma Program aims to improve maternal and child nutrition in Pakistan by providing financial and nutritional support to pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and children aged 6 to 23 months. Under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), this initiative ensures better health outcomes through conditional cash transfers linked to essential healthcare services.

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BISP Target Population

The programme primarily supports two vulnerable groups:

• Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW)
• Children aged 6 – 23 months

These groups require adequate nutrition and healthcare to promote healthy development and prevent malnutrition.

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Eligibility Criteria for the Nashonuma Programme

To qualify for the Nashonuma Programme, individuals must meet the following criteria:

1. Residence – The beneficiary must reside in any district within Pakistan.
2. Target Categories – The eligible individual must belong to one of three categories:

• Pregnant Woman
• Lactating Woman
• Child aged 6 – 23 months

How to Enrol in the Nashonuma Programme

To enrol, eligible beneficiaries must visit their nearest Nashonuma Facilitation Centre (FC). The enrollment process includes:

• Identity Verification – Officials will verify the beneficiary’s CNIC in the NSER database using the Nashonuma Android application.
• Medical Verification—Individuals Confirming Pregnancy—Verification requires pregnancy test results and a vaccination record (TT vaccine administered in the second trimester).
• Lactating Mothers – B-form of the newborn and proof of vaccination (EPI card).
• Children aged 6 – 23 months must present a B-form and an EPI card as proof of vaccination.
• If beneficiaries fail to meet the eligibility criteria, officials at the registration counter will update their status accordingly.
• Compliance Procedure for Receiving Benefits
• Beneficiaries must adhere to the compliance requirements to promote proper nutrition and primary healthcare services. The program links a portion of the cash transfer to beneficiaries consuming at least 90% of the provided specialised nutrition food (SNF) and completing health check-ups, including antenatal care (ANC), postnatal care (PNC), and routine immunisation.
• As BISP distributes funds quarterly, it monitors compliance alongside the payment schedule to prevent unnecessary delays.

What Nutritional Support Does Nashonuma Provide?

The programme provides specialised nutrition food (SNF) to support maternal and child health:

• Pregnant & Lactating Women (PLW) – Receive Maamta (75g sachet, one per day).
• Children aged 6 – 23 months – Receive Wawamum (50g sachet, one per day).

Conditional Cash Transfers Under Nashonuma

The program processes quarterly cash payments for beneficiaries after verifying compliance as follows:

• PKR 2,000 for pregnant and lactating women and registered male children.
• PKR 2,500 for registered female children.

For twins or triplets, the same conditional cash transfer rules apply. The program disburses funds after verifying that beneficiaries have consumed at least 90% of the SNF and utilised essential PHC services.

Final Thoughts

The Nashonuma Programme is vital in reducing malnutrition and improving maternal and child health in Pakistan. The programme protects vulnerable families and promotes a healthier future for children by ensuring proper nutrition, immunisation, and healthcare services.

For further assistance, visit your nearest Nashonuma Facilitation Centre or contact the BISP Helpline at 0800-26477.