KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced a new initiative under the Sindh Social Protection Program to provide a monthly stipend of Rs3,000 to children from birth up to five years old, with a special emphasis on rural communities.
During the third meeting of the Sindh Social Protection Authority (SSPA), Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah approved several key projects aimed at broadening the social safety net in the province, enhancing maternal and child health services, and delivering income support to vulnerable women in rural areas.
The approved measures include launching an Early Childhood Development (ECD) scheme targeting 885,000 young children, seasonal cash assistance for women working in agriculture, and significant enhancements to the Mamta maternal health cash transfer program, part of the broader Strengthening Social Protection Delivery System in Sindh (SSPDSS).
The board reviewed the progress of the Mamta project, which operates across 22 districts with a budget of Rs56 billion, benefitting over one million registered families. To foster predictability and reduce financial strain on impoverished households, a Hybrid Predictable Payment Model (PPM) was introduced, ensuring mothers receive cash payments on a fixed schedule, even if health visits are delayed.
In a move to further support vulnerable families, the board approved full cash benefits during pregnancy and for the youngest child, along with 75% of the conditional cash transfer for older children under two years to ensure no child is left without assistance.
Chief Minister Shah also sanctioned two new initiatives aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting sustainable human development. The Rs14 billion ECD project, financed by KfW, will support children aged 0 to 5, with eligible caregivers receiving Rs3,000 quarterly for health monitoring, nutrition advice, and school readiness activities.
Additionally, a Women Agricultural Workers Program was approved to provide monthly cash aid to rural women during off-season periods, helping them manage seasonal income gaps, reduce debt burdens, and enhance food security within farming households.
To expand the Mamta program’s reach, the board authorized a feasibility study in partnership with the Gates Foundation to explore extending services into underserved urban union councils and high-risk zones in Karachi and Hyderabad.
The board also approved an addendum to include health facilities managed by the Health Department in seven newly identified districts, with DHQ and THQ hospitals designated as central Mamta support points.
For improved governance, the authority sanctioned the establishment of specialized committees on audit, human resources, legal matters, and research, alongside approving a Rs2.29 billion budget for 2026–27.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed the government’s dedication to establishing a dependable support system for Sindh’s poorest families. “Our aim is to develop a predictable safety net that empowers vulnerable women and children,” he said. “By integrating health, nutrition, and financial aid, we are investing in the province’s future.”
He emphasized that social protection is not only a moral responsibility but also a strategic investment in human development. “Supporting mothers, nurturing young children, and assisting rural women during tough seasons strengthens families and contributes to a healthier, more resilient Sindh,” the CM added.
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