What is Ehsaas Nashonuma
The Ehsaas NashonumaProgramme 2022 focuses on tackling the issue of stunted growth in children
under 23 months of age by providing their mothers with necessary health care
facilities, nutritional supplements, and a cash grant.
For those who may not know, the World Health
Organization (WHO) defines stunting as the ‘impaired growth and development
that children experience from poor nutrition, repeated infection, and
inadequate psychosocial stimulation.’ It also has a significant negative effect
on organ development, brain function, immune system, and future productivity of
a child.
Unfortunately, the rate of stunting among children
due to malnutrition is exceptionally high in Pakistan.
As per the 2019 National Nutrition Survey
published by the Government of Pakistan, four out of ten children under the age
of 5 are stunted. The survey, which assessed 115,500 households, also revealed
that one in every five adolescent boys and one in every eight adolescent girls
are underweight. Moreover, the survey claimed more than 50 percent of young
girls in Pakistan suffer from anaemia.
The Ehsaas Nashonuma Programme not only addresses
the ongoing stunting crisis but also focuses on reducing it.
Fully funded by the Government of Pakistan, the
budget of Ehsaas Nashonuma Programme is PKR 8.52 billion, according to the
official website.
The main purpose of
Ehsaas Nashonuma program is to facilitate pregnant women through nutrition and
work for the health of children in the first 1000 days. The most important task
is to take care of children at the age of two years because it is the most
critical period. All the pregnant women can get the Ehsaas Nashonuma cash
amount of Rs. 2,000 (for Boys) and Rs. 1,500 (for Girls). The eligibility of
beneficiaries will be nominated through Ehsaas Kafalat program.
