Health & Nutrition CCT
Health Support That’s Changing Futures For Banadir Mothers
The Baxnaano Economic Inclusion (EI) Window is a flagship initiative of the Federal Government of Somalia, implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) under the Baxnaano National Social Protection Programme.
The Challenge Before the Program
Somalia has long faced challenges in maternal and child health.
Limited access to antenatal care, high rates of malnutrition, and the effects of poverty placed countless mothers and children at risk.
- 1 in 2 children under five suffered from some form of malnutrition.
- Many mothers were unable to afford basic health services.
- Health awareness and early child-care practices were low in rural and displacement-affected communities.
The Health & Nutrition CCT was designed to change this reality, linking financial support directly to healthy behaviors.
Intevention by Baxnaano
The H&N CCT is part of the Federal Government of Somalia’s Baxnaano Program , the national social safety net initiative that provides conditional cash support to the most vulnerable.
Key components
Eligibility Criteria
Pregnant women with a facility-issued pregnancy note and lactating mothers with children under 18 months, verified through a birth note or immunization card.
Health Co-Responsibilities
Monthly attendance at health and nutrition awareness sessions, including ANC/PNC, immunization, and growth monitoring.
Quarterly Cash Transfers:
Receives a $30 payment for attending three consecutive months of health and awareness sessions.
Community Outreach
Female Health Workers (FHWs) and mobilizers conduct door-to-door education, group sessions, follow-up calls, and radio broadcasts via Radio Shabelle.
Capacity Building
Continuous training of health and community workers to ensure data quality, communication, and accountability.
Our Impact In Numbers
16,000+
Youth and Women Empowered
Over 16,000 women and caregivers have so far benefited from the program.
20+
Facilities Supported
20+ Baxnaano Facilitation Centers are operational in Deynille and Garasbaley districts.
95%
Nutritional Awareness
95% of mothers report improved awareness of nutrition practices.
Stories of Change
Implementation Strength
The H&N CCT success is not just about cash, it’s about systems and partnerships.
Highlights
- Managed and implimented by the Federal Government of Somalia through the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
- Supported by Baxnaano Facilitation Centers in collaboration with Banadir regional authorities.
- Integrated data monitoring systems (MIS) ensure transparency and timely payments.
- MoLSA leads communications, mobilization and field level coordination
Together, they’ve built a trusted model for community-based social protection.
Lessons Learned & Sustainability
Cash with a Purpose
Linking cash support to specific health actions motivates families to attend clinics and follow healthy practices.This conditional approach transforms assistance from short-term relief into long-term behavior change.
Trust Starts Locally
Community health workers play a vital role in mobilizing mothers and ensuring continued participation.Their presence builds confidence in the program and strengthens the connection between families and health services.
Digital Systems, Real Accountability
Using mobile money and a digital Management Information System (MIS) has reduced errors, delays, and misuse of funds.This transparency increases beneficiary confidence and improves program efficiency.
A Model for the Future
The Baxnaano H&N CCT model is adaptable and can be scaled to other regions and sectors. Its success demonstrates how social protection and public health can work together to build resilience nationwide.
The Baxnaano H&N CCT has demonstrated that social protection, health, and nutrition can work together seamlessly to create real, measurable change in the lives of vulnerable mothers and children.
Expanding the Impact
The next phase of the H&N CCT aims to:
- Extend coverage to new districts with high malnutrition rates.
- Integrate child development and nutrition education modules.
- Strengthen digital monitoring to track outcomes in real time.
FAQS
The CCT programme is currently implemented in:
- Deynille District
- Garasbaaley District
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs works in close collaboration with the Banadir Regional Authority (BRA) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) to support the provision of health services and overall programme delivery.
Pregnant women and lactating mothers with children under 18 months.
Beneficiaries are identified through the Unified Social Registry (USR), a national database that collects information on vulnerable households. This database is used to assess who qualifies for different types of support, including Baxnaano.
Households in the USR are ranked using a tool called Proxy Means Testing (PMT). This tool looks at things like:
- The type of house a family lives in.
- The Assets they own
- Their income and employment.
- Whether they have basic services such as clean water.
Based on these factors, the system identifies the poorest families. The process is automatic, with no human interference, which makes it fair and transparent.
To qualify for the quarterly cash transfer of $30, beneficiaries must attend monthly health and nutrition awareness sessions for three consecutive months, delivered by trained health workers. Sessions include:
- Antenatal Care and Postnatal Care (ANC/PNC) check up
- Vaccination of pregnant and lactating women and immunization for children 6-23 months.
- Growth monitoring
- Assessment for acute and moderate malnutrition (MAM/SAM)
- Health and nutrition referrals
- Other services available
At Baxnaano Facilitation Centres (BFCs) located in:
- Deynille District Hospital
- Xarunta Caafimaadka ee Forilow
At the centers, beneficiaries are verified and enrolled into the Social Protection Delivery System (SPDS), which safely records their information. This ensures that:
- Only eligible mothers are registered.
- Health details are correctly captured.
- Payments go to the right person.
- Records are secure and can be updated when needed.
Beneficiaries are required to present:
- Pregnancy verification (for pregnant women).
Birth notes (for children under 18 months).
- Pregnancy verification (for pregnant women).
Birth notes (for children under 18 months).
- The programme is completely free of charge — do not pay anyone for enrolment, health services, or payments.
- No individual has the right to demand money in exchange for access to the programme.
- Official information comes only from the Government of Somalia through SMS, voice calls, or the Baxnaano helpline.
If someone asks you for money, it is fraud. Report it immediately by calling the helpline: 2668.
- Visit the nearest Baxnaano Facilitation Centre (BFC).
Call the toll-free helpline: 2668.
Via mobile money to the phone number registered with the programme.
Through SMS and voice messages, which provide details about enrolment schedules, payment timelines, and facilitation centre locations.
- Ensure your registered phone number is active and has network coverage.
- Check your mobile wallet balance.
If still not received, contact the Baxnaano Helpline: 2668.