By Subhan Baloch
KARACHI: The World Bank has praised the Government of Sindh for the progress achieved under its flagship Mother and Child Support Program, “Mamta,” describing it as a model initiative that effectively links financial assistance with improved healthcare outcomes.
The remarks were made during a high-level strategic review meeting between Sindh Minister for Labour, Human Resources and Social Protection, Saeed Ghani, and a World Bank delegation led by Task Team Leader Sohail Saeed Abbasi and Co-Task Team Leader Amna Khan. The discussion focused on the rapid expansion of the program and its transition toward a technology-driven and sustainable delivery model.
According to the provincial minister, the Mamta Program has so far integrated more than 955,000 pregnant and lactating women into a structured social protection framework. The initiative operates under the Strengthening Social Protection Delivery System in Sindh (SSPDSS) and aims to reach 1.3 million beneficiaries across 15 districts in its initial phase.
Officials stated that the program’s “cash-for-health” model has significantly influenced healthcare-seeking behavior. Enrolled beneficiaries have completed approximately 4.3 million visits to local health facilities, reflecting increased engagement with maternal and child health services.
The minister further noted that healthcare utilization at hospitals managed by the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative Sindh has increased by 80 percent since the program’s implementation. Currently, 824 health facilities are being leveraged through partnerships between PPHI Sindh and the provincial Health Department.
World Bank representatives highlighted the program’s digital registration and payment mechanisms as a major achievement, stating that the streamlined system has reduced administrative barriers and enhanced transparency in benefit disbursement.
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