Benazir Nashonuma Program

The Benazir Nashonuma Program is part of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), and its objective is to assist poor pregnant women, nursing mothers, and their young children in Pakistan who are facing serious issues such as starvation and delayed growth. When it launches in 2020, qualifying persons will receive conditional coin payments and crucial exercise options. This is to boost the nutritional benefits for both mothers and toddlers Benazir Nashonuma Program.

 Motive for the Benazir Nashonuma Program 

There is a child nutrition crisis in Pakistan because so many children are malnourished (40.2% stunted, 28.9% underweight, and 17.7% wasting). With so much hunger, Pakistan is the region’s second-highest malnutrition rate.
When a kid is born, the first 1,000 days are an ideal time to lay the groundwork for future success. At this point, there are several changes occurring, and the child’s brain development is highly adaptable. Human capital is created via investments made in the early stages of life. In today’s economy, human capital is an important driver of economic progress.

The key goals of Benazir Nashonuma

The Benazir Nashonuma Program aims to address chronic malnutrition and stunting in children under two.

• Reduces anemia and nutritional deficits in children and women.
• Help pregnant women gain weight.
• Raise nutritional and health awareness among mothers and their children.
•  Encourage people to use existing health and nutrition services.

 Program Benefits

• People who sign up for the Benazir Nashonuma Wazaif Program receive the following perks:
•  Rs. 4500 cash contributions made every three months to aid with health and diet needs.
• Rs. 2,000 every quarter for boys, Rs. 2,500 for girls.
• Offers healthy food for women and children. Provides free health services, including prenatal checks and immunizations.Offers regular health and nutrition education. Offers advice on breastfeeding and other feeding options.

Steps for Registration

Eligible women can apply for the Nashonuma Program in the following ways:
You can register in person at the nearest BISP Tehsil Office or Nashonuma Centre and receive assistance with the registration form.
You can also download the BISP mobile app, complete the form, and submit it online.Call the BISP helpdesk at 0800-26477 to register over the phone.
Go to the BISP website, fill out the web registration form, and submit it online.
Applicants must provide accurate information and submit copies of any required documents, such as a child’s B-form, CNIC, etc.

Program Implementation and Expansion

The Benazir Nashonuma was initially tested in 14 regions around Pakistan. After the program was successfully tested, the BISP Board decided to make it available to everyone in the country. Nashonuma Centres have been operating in 45 areas since August 2022. By the end of the year, they expect to have aid spaces in all districts.

 Monitoring and Evaluation

BISP and affiliated organizations do routine tracking and assessment duties to determine the impact and usefulness of the Benazir Nashonuma Program. They are composed of:
Using the Nashonuma MIS to track registration numbers and compliance.
We will conduct baseline and end-line surveys to see how stunting rates and other nutritional markers change.

Monitor attendance at health and nutrition education sessions, assess service quality at Nashonuma Centers, and solicit feedback from program participants.

Conclusion

The Benazir Nashonuma Program, supported by the Pakistani government, is a pioneering initiative to combat the persisting problems of stunting and poor food in girls and children who are more vulnerable. The Benazir Nashonuma Program can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of underprivileged families in Pakistan because it is dispersed across the country and has strict checks and balances in place.