By Fakhar-e-Alam
PESHAWAR, Feb 19 (APP):Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid, here on Thursday inaugurated a state-of-the-art Benazir Nashonuma Centre at Molvi G Hospital, Hashtnagri, and announced an increase in quarterly cash assistance from Rs 13,500 to Rs 14,500.
The much needed revised assistance will benefit approximately 10 million registered beneficiaries across the country including Khyber Pakthunkhwa.
During her visit, she visited various sections of the centre, inspected healthcare facilities, and met mothers of stunted children to inquire about their concerns.
Highlighting the gravity of the issue, she said that nearly 40 percent of children under the age of five in Pakistan suffer from stunting and under weight due to socioeconomic imbalances and poverty.
To combat this monster challenge, the Benazir Nashonuma Programme was launched with a focus on the critical first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
So far, approximately 4.3 million beneficiaries including 1.2 million registered women and children have been enrolled under the Benazir Naushnoma Programme, which is being implemented through 542 Nashonuma Facilitation Centres across Pakistan with assistance of World Food Program and Health Departments.
Senator Rubina Khalid directed BISP authorities to enhance awareness among medical professionals, particularly pediatricians and gynecologists, to ensure timely referral of stunted children and pregnant women to Benazir Nashonuma Centres for quality treatment.
She also emphasized the need for comprehensive training of Lady Health Workers to effectively address stunting among children and support pregnant and lactating mothers at grassroot levels.
Speaking to the media, she announced that the government has increased education and Nashonuma stipends by Rs 500 each to further facilitate underprivileged registered families.
She said that registered children are monitored for two years and provided with free nutritional supplements, while pregnant and lactating women also receive essential support.
She further informed that a poverty score threshold of 60 has been set for education and Nashonuma programmes in Balochistan, adding that efforts are underway to extend similar benefits to residents of the merged tribal districts (erstwhile FATA).
Senator Rubina Khalid shared that under the BISP education programme, a girl from a beneficiary family recently topped an examination conducted by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Kohat.
The chairperson informed that 160 BISP Nashonuma Centres are currently operational in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including 10 in Peshawar. Citing findings from a study conducted by the Institute of Global Health and Development at Aga Khan University, she said the prevalence of stunting at six months of age among beneficiaries has been reduced to 20 percent and is 6.2 percentage points lower among children under two years compared to non-beneficiaries.
Senator Rubina Khalid further announced that a digital wallet system has been introduced to ensure transparent disbursement of financial assistance.
Free SIM cards are being provided to registered beneficiaries at BISP offices and camp centres. The system is expected to become fully operational by March this year.
She said the digital wallet initiative was launched in line with the vision of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure swift and transparent payment of stipends.
Under the interoperability programme, beneficiaries will be able to withdraw their stipends from banks across Pakistan.
The BISP Chairperson urged beneficiaries to register complaints in case of any irregularities to enable prompt action against those responsible.
Paying tribute to former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, she described her as a courageous leader who dedicated her life to the people of Pakistan and embraced martyrdom for their rights.
She said Benazir Bhutto fought bravely for women’s empowerment and urged beneficiaries to draw inspiration from her struggle for democracy and socio-economic uplift of the underprivileged.
Senator Rubina Khalid also said that the Benazir Skills Programme is underway to equip beneficiaries’ children with technical education, enabling them to become self-reliant and contribute to the country’s development.
She added that BISP has empowered millions of underprivileged women by providing them financial identity and paving the way for social change in society.
Earlier, she cut the ribbon and unveiled a commemorative plaque to formally inaugurate the Benazir Nashonuma Centre at Molvi G Hospital. She also planted an Araucaria sapling in the hospital lawn.
Director General NSER/CCT BISP Dr Asim Ejaz and DG BISP KP Alif Khan Afridi were also present.
Earlier, Senator Rubina Khalid met with Chief Secretary KP and other relevant officials and discussed matters related to well being of masses of KP.