Iran Launches New Phase of Yasna Plan to Bolster Family Health and Nutrition
In a significant move to strengthen public health and social welfare, the Islamic Republic of Iran is rolling out the latest phase of its supportive “Yasna Plan.” This targeted initiative, managed by the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare, is designed to enhance the nutritional well-being of pregnant women and children under two years of age from low-income families.
A Strategic Health Investment
The core objective of the Yasna Plan is to safeguard the health of vulnerable groups by ensuring access to healthy, nutritious food. By focusing on the critical early stages of life, the program aims to prevent the long-term consequences of malnutrition, thereby investing in the nation’s future human capital and fostering a healthier society.
Financial Support Structure
The plan provides direct financial assistance through an electronic food voucher system, ensuring the funds are used specifically for nutritional purposes. The subsidy amounts for the current year are structured as follows:
- Income Deciles 1 to 5: 1,300,000 Tomans per month.
- Income Deciles 6 and 7: 792,000 Tomans per month.
This tiered system ensures that support is proportionate to need, with the most substantial aid directed to families with the greatest economic challenges.
Implementation Timeline and Eligibility
The disbursement of the Yasna subsidy is scheduled to commence in the Iranian month of Azar (beginning November 21, 2024). Payments will be made monthly through the voucher system.
Eligibility is determined automatically through an integrated data network that includes information from the Ministry of Health and the Civil Registration Organization. This streamlined, paperless process identifies eligible pregnant women and mothers of children under two from the specified income deciles without requiring any in-person registration.
Broader Support for Child Development
Running parallel to the Yasna Plan is a complementary program for children under five who are at risk of malnutrition. This initiative involves continuous monitoring of a child’s growth at public health centers. If specialists determine that a child’s development is hampered by nutritional deficiencies, the family becomes eligible for additional support, further demonstrating the government’s comprehensive approach to child welfare.
Ensuring Program Integrity
To guarantee that the aid serves its intended purpose, the electronic voucher system is strictly limited to the purchase of predefined food items. Authorities have established a robust monitoring mechanism for participating retailers. Any vendor found violating the terms of the program will be removed from the network, ensuring the effective and transparent use of public funds.
The expansion and continued funding of the Yasna Plan underscore a committed national strategy to improve family health, support demographic policies, and build a resilient and healthy society for the future.