The Sindh Government has approved an increase in financial aid for pregnant women under the Mamta Program, raising the amount from Rs30,000 to Rs41,000, and expanding the program’s coverage to seven additional districts.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the Sindh Social Protection Authority (SSPA) to extend the Maternal and Child Support Program (MCSP)—commonly known as the Mamta Program—to seven more districts, bringing the total coverage to 22 districts.
The aim of this expansion is to improve maternal and child health by providing integrated medical services and financial support to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
This decision was made during the second board meeting of the Sindh Social Protection Authority, held on Tuesday at the Chief Minister’s House.
The meeting was attended by Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, Special Assistant to the CM on Social Protection Sarfaraz Rajar, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, P\&D Chairman Najaf Shah, Finance Secretary Fayaz Jatoi, Social Protection Secretary Muzammil Halepoto, CM’s Secretary Rahim Shaikh, SSPA CEO Samiullah Shaikh, and board members Sono Kangrani and Dr. Asma Haider Baloch.
SSPA CEO Samiullah Shaikh gave a detailed briefing on the current implementation and proposed expansion of the program. Following the briefing, the CM approved the inclusion of Larkana, Sukkur, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Jamshoro, Dadu, and Naushahro Feroze in the program.
Previously active in 15 rural districts, the program will now provide Rs41,000 in financial support over three years to each pregnant and breastfeeding woman—up from the earlier Rs30,000.
According to the official statement, the program aims to ensure adequate maternal nutrition, regular check-ups, and safe childbirth.
The Mamta Program is part of a broader Rs48.3 billion social protection initiative, with Rs6.3 billion being funded by the Sindh Government. It began in January 2023 and will continue until December 2027.
To date, 770,000 pregnant and lactating women have been registered across 800 health centers in the province, of which 740 are operated under the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) and 62 by the Health Department.
Eligibility criteria include being at least 18 years old, possessing a Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC), and residing in the designated districts.
The Mamta Program follows a conditional cash transfer model, where financial assistance is linked to critical maternal health milestones such as antenatal checkups, institutional deliveries, and postnatal care.
The financial support aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality and improve the health of mothers and children, especially in low-income and underserved areas.
Based on population data and birth rate estimates, around 2.6 million pregnant and lactating women are expected in the target districts over the five-year period. The government aims to reach 1.3 million women, representing 50% of the eligible population.
CM Murad Ali Shah emphasized that expanding access to social protection is a key part of his government’s strategy to improve maternal and child health, reduce poverty, and empower rural women in Sindh.
