The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) extends its reach to vulnerable populations through the Nashonuma programme, focusing specifically on Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) and children aged 6 to 23 months. This initiative aims to enhance nutritional support and access to essential healthcare services, ensuring the well-being of mothers and young children across Pakistan.
Nashonuma Programme Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for enrollment in the Nashonuma programme, beneficiaries must meet the following criteria:
- Active BISP Beneficiaries: Individuals already receiving unconditional cash transfers under the Kafalat programme.
- Residency: Must reside in any district of Pakistan.
- Target Population: Must fall into one of the following categories:
- Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW)
- Children aged 6 to 23 months
Enrolment and Compliance Procedure
Enrollment into the Nashonuma programme involves several steps to ensure accurate verification and compliance with eligibility criteria:
- Visit to Nashonuma Facilitation Centre (FC): Eligible beneficiaries must visit their nearest Nashonuma FC for enrollment.
- Verification in NSER Database: Verification of eligibility through the Nashonuma Android Application using CNIC numbers.
- Verification Requirements:
- Pregnant Women: Confirmation of pregnancy through test results or confirmation report, along with the EPI card showing TT Vaccination during the 2nd trimester.
- Lactating Mothers: Submission of the B-form of the newborn/infant child and the EPI card as proof of vaccination.
- Children 6-23 months: Submission of the B-form and the EPI card to verify age and vaccination status.
- Non-Verification Cases: If pregnancy, lactation, or age criteria (0-23 months) are not verified, individuals will be referred to the registration counter and marked as ineligible for the intervention.
Compliance Procedure
The Nashonuma programme incorporates conditional cash transfers to ensure adherence to nutritional and primary healthcare (PHC) services, thereby promoting better health outcomes:
- Conditional Cash Transfers: A portion of the cash transfer is contingent upon compliance with specific conditions:
- Consumption of at least 90% of the provided Specialized Nutrition Foods (SNF) by PLW and/or children in supported households.
- Adherence to Antenatal Care (ANC), Postnatal Care (PNC), and routine immunization services.
- Schedule and Monitoring: Cash transfers are disbursed quarterly in alignment with compliance monitoring. This ensures timely support without delays.
Specialized Nutrition Foods (SNF) Distribution
The Nashonuma programme provides specialized nutrition foods tailored to the nutritional needs of PLW and children aged 6-23 months:
- PLW: Receives Maamta, a 75-gram sachet of SNF, to be consumed once daily.
- Children 6-23 months: Receive Wawamum, a 50-gram sachet of SNF, also consumed once daily.
Cash Transfer Mechanism
Upon verification of compliance with quarterly conditions, cash transfers are processed promptly:
- Compliance Amount: PKR 2,000 for PLW and male children registered in the Nashonuma Programme, and PKR 2,500 for female children.
- Conditionality Compliance: Verification includes ensuring consumption of at least 90% of SNF provided and utilization of essential PHC services (Immunization, ANC, and PNC).
FAQs – Nashonuma Programme under BISP
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Who is eligible to participate in the Nashonuma programme?
- Eligible participants include Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) and children aged 6 to 23 months who are already active beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) under the Kafalat programme.
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How can I enroll in the Nashonuma programme?
- To enroll, visit your nearest Nashonuma Facilitation Centre (FC) and provide necessary documents such as CNIC, B-forms, and EPI cards for verification of eligibility.
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What detail or document do you need to submit for enrollment?
- For Pregnant Women: Pregnancy test results or confirmation report, along with the EPI card showing TT Vaccination.
- For Lactating Mothers: B-form of the newborn/infant child and the EPI card for vaccination proof.
- For Children 6-23 months: B-form and the EPI card showing age and vaccination details.
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What happens if my pregnancy or lactation status is not verified?
- If verification fails, you will be referred to the registration counter and marked as ineligible for the Nashonuma programme.
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What are the conditions for receiving cash transfers under Nashonuma?
- Cash transfers are conditional upon the consumption of at least 90% of provided Specialized Nutrition Foods (SNF) and adherence to Antenatal Care (ANC), Postnatal Care (PNC), and routine immunizations.
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How often are cash transfers disbursed under the Nashonuma programme?
- Cash transfers are disbursed quarterly, contingent upon meeting the program’s compliance conditions.
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What specialized nutrition foods (SNF) are provided under Nashonuma?
- Pregnant Women receive Maamta, a 75-gram sachet, and children aged 6-23 months receive Wawamum, a 50-gram sachet, both to be consumed once daily.
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Can I collect my cash payments if I am disqualified from Nashonuma?
- Ineligible beneficiaries may collect their dues from designated local campsites, but will be excluded from the program for a period of two years pending re-survey.
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How is compliance monitored in the Nashonuma programme?
- Compliance is monitored through regular checks on SNF consumption and verification of attendance at essential healthcare services like immunization, ANC, and PNC.
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Where can I get more information about the Nashonuma programme?
- For more information, visit your nearest Nashonuma Facilitation Centre or contact BISP’s official channels through their website or helpline.
Conclusion
The Nashonuma programme under BISP plays a pivotal role in supporting maternal and child health by combining financial assistance with nutritional support and essential healthcare services. By ensuring compliance with program conditions, BISP aims to improve the health outcomes of PLW and young children, contributing to their overall well-being and development. For further details and enrollment, eligible individuals are encouraged to visit their nearest Nashonuma Facilitation Centre or access information through the official BISP channels.