The Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, chaired the third board meeting of the Sindh Social Protection Authority (SSPA) on Wednesday, approving a series of major initiatives to expand the province's social safety net. These measures aim to enhance maternal and child welfare and provide income support to vulnerable rural women.
Key Approvals
The board approved a new Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme targeting 885,000 children, seasonal cash assistance for women agricultural workers, and key reforms to the Mamta maternal health cash transfer programme under the Strengthening Social Protection Delivery System in Sindh (SSPDSS).
Mamta Programme Reforms
Officials reported that the Mamta programme is currently operational in 22 districts with a budget of Rs 56 billion, benefiting over one million registered individuals. To ensure predictability and ease financial pressure on low-income households, the board approved a Hybrid Predictable Payment Model (PPM). Under this model, mothers will receive cash payments on a fixed schedule, even if health visits are slightly delayed.
In another pro-poor initiative, the board approved full cash support for a mother's pregnancy or her youngest child, along with 75 percent of the conditional cash transfer amount for an older child under the age of two. This ensures broader coverage for vulnerable families.
Early Childhood Development Programme
The chief minister also approved two new interventions aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting long-term human development. The ECD project, with an allocation of Rs 14 billion funded by KfW, will support children aged up to five years. Caregivers will receive Rs 3,000 quarterly for growth monitoring, nutrition counselling, and school readiness.
Women Agricultural Workers Programme
The board approved a Women Agricultural Workers Programme to provide monthly cash transfers to rural women during lean agricultural periods for two to four months annually. This initiative is designed to help women manage seasonal income loss, reduce debt, and improve household food security.
Expansion and Governance
To expand the reach of the Mamta programme, the board approved a feasibility study in collaboration with the Gates Foundation to extend coverage to underserved urban union councils and high-risk areas of Karachi and Hyderabad. It also ratified an addendum to include Health Department-managed facilities in seven newly selected districts, with DHQ and THQ hospitals designated as central Mamta service points.
For improved governance, the board authorised the formation of specialised committees on audit, human resources, legal affairs, and research, and approved a budget of Rs 2.29 billion for the financial year 2026–27.
Chief Minister's Remarks
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to building a reliable and predictable support system for Sindh's most vulnerable populations. 'Our goal is to establish a dependable safety net that empowers women and children across Sindh,' he said. 'By integrating health, nutrition, and financial support, we are investing in the future of our province.' He added that social protection is not only a welfare responsibility but also a long-term investment in human capital. 'Protecting mothers, supporting young children, and assisting rural women during difficult seasons will strengthen families and help build a healthier, more resilient Sindh,' he said.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, senior officials, and members of the SSPA board.
