BISP Pakistan A Report Prepared By Mr. Allah Dad Khan For

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Waseela-e-Taleem Background

to design and implement, as it involves additional participatory requirements on the part of beneficiary families and educational authorities, yet such investments have led to the improvement of educational access and attendance of children, as witnessed in many countries worldwide. 

Waseela e Taleem Programme

Waseela e Taleem Programme was launched in five pilot districts (Skardu, Mirpur, Malakand protected area, Nushki and Karachi South) as part of initial test phase, in collaboration with education departments of provinces/regions in November 2012. In two years time Waseela e Taleem has enrolled around 52000 children out of potential 75000 children from amongst the BISP Beneficiary families in the target areas. (Attached Enrolment progress may be shown through hyperlink.) 

Waseela e Taleem Programme

BISP plans to extend the WET Programme ‘Extended Phase’ into 27 additional districts upon mutual consent with the provincial authorities. Experience in the Pilot Phase gave the project insights that BISP has incorporated in its extended phase. In Pilot phase the most difficult districts were selected; some in view of the prevailing law and order situation and some in terms of weather conditions. In the extended phase, therefore, all new districts have been selected in consultation with provincial education departments on the basis of supply capacity assessment. around 3.3 million children (5-12 years) of age are present in the 1.47 million beneficiary families in 27 extended phase districts, out of which around 2.65 children are out of school and only 0.66 million are currently attending the schools. BISP is targeting to reach these out of school children within 2 years by introducing the stipend amount to encourage the beneficiary families for sending their children in school instead of involving in child labour. BISP is aiming to reduce the child labour and to increase the human development by extending WET programme in 27 new districts. BISP stipend amount would not only increase the enrolment numbers in primary school but would also reduce the drop out ratio of currently attending school children.

Waseela-e-Sehat

Waseela-e-Sehat is an offshoot of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) that provides health insurance to the poor and underprivileged by improving access to health services and reducing income loss from catastrophic health shocks in Pakistan

Waseela-e-Sehat

Program goalsImproving access to quality health

services and reducing income loss from catastrophic health shocks and financial cushion in case of death of the breadwinner of the eligible beneficiary family.

Waseela-e-Sehat

Key program components Working in partnership with National/International Health

Insurance Companies, BISP launched the Benazir Health Card in 15 Districts of Pakistan. This card allows patients identified by the BISP to obtain health services at enlisted private and public hospitals. To make the selection process transparent, the per household premium is determined through a national competitive bidding process. Partner insurance companies are then responsible for the enrollment of BISP beneficiaries and the collection of all relevant data for each enrolled household. Enrollment of beneficiaries is validated by the BISP central database. Upon validation, families are issued biometric cards which can be used at hospitals and health clinics. Currently, an entire family is covered under one premium.

To make this programme more accessible and efficient, a community-based mechanism is being developed for social mobilization that would enhance and improve overall enrollment and utilization of services. The health card uses an online system that allows patients to avail services from any of the listed medical facilities. Health facility personnel guide the patients through the system and charge the final hospital bill to the account of the card holder. This information is then shared with stakeholders and the management as required.

The insurance package covers full hospitalization for all age groups with a maximum benefit cap of Rs. 25,000/- per family annually. The package also covers pre-existing conditions as well as normal deliveries and hospitalizations due to complicated deliveries and C-sections, and diagnostic tests/procedures conducted during hospitalization. In February 2012, BISP formally signed the agreement with State Life Corporation to provide health insurance to its registered beneficiary families.

Initially launched in Faisalabad District, BISP aims to expand the program to the entire country. In Faisalabad, State Life Insurance has signed agreements with 6 private hospitals and is negotiating with Government of the Punjab to sign similar agreements with public sector hospitals.