Under scrutiny: Nutrition programme awaiting govt’s approval
PC-I of the programme was submitted before the Planning Commission in November
ISLAMABAD:
The federal government has not yet approved the Pakistan Nutrition Programme for the years 2016-18.
According to documents available with The Express Tribune, PC-I of Pakistan Nutrition Programme was approved by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (NHSRC) in June 2016 and was submitted to the Planning Commission for its approval last year.
The programme aims to improve the nutritional status of the population, especially targeting adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and children under the age of 5. It will concentrate on regions including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Federal Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA), Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) through well informed, coordinated and effective government leadership.
Despite NHSRC’s reminder to the Planning Commission sent on November 30, 2016, requesting it to place the PC-I Central Development Working Party forum for consideration and approval, the latter has taken no such step.
An NHSRC official requesting anonymity told The Express Tribune an NHSRC that the delay was one of the many projects waiting the government’s approval.
“The nutrition crisis in Pakistan needs to be dealt with on an emergency basis but still no significant step has been taken in this regard as it is not the government’s priority,” said the official.
He said Pakistan solely relied on international funding for the programme which was not feasible on a long-term basis as the programme will have to shut down in case international funding stops.
When contacted Dr Baseer Achakzai, head of nutrition wing at the NHSRC Ministry said that the PC-I was submitted last year by the ministry of federal health and an approval is still awaited.
He said a small investment by the government will help Pakistan to improve its nutrition indicators which currently are very disappointing and there has been no significant improvement since last few years.
“We are hopeful that the planning commission will make all out efforts to approve and allocate the required amount for the project,” he said.
When contacted, officials at the Planning Commission of Pakistan said that PC-I was resubmitted in November last year and was being scrutinised.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2017.
The federal government has not yet approved the Pakistan Nutrition Programme for the years 2016-18.
According to documents available with The Express Tribune, PC-I of Pakistan Nutrition Programme was approved by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (NHSRC) in June 2016 and was submitted to the Planning Commission for its approval last year.
The programme aims to improve the nutritional status of the population, especially targeting adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and children under the age of 5. It will concentrate on regions including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Federal Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA), Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) through well informed, coordinated and effective government leadership.
Despite NHSRC’s reminder to the Planning Commission sent on November 30, 2016, requesting it to place the PC-I Central Development Working Party forum for consideration and approval, the latter has taken no such step.
An NHSRC official requesting anonymity told The Express Tribune an NHSRC that the delay was one of the many projects waiting the government’s approval.
“The nutrition crisis in Pakistan needs to be dealt with on an emergency basis but still no significant step has been taken in this regard as it is not the government’s priority,” said the official.
He said Pakistan solely relied on international funding for the programme which was not feasible on a long-term basis as the programme will have to shut down in case international funding stops.
When contacted Dr Baseer Achakzai, head of nutrition wing at the NHSRC Ministry said that the PC-I was submitted last year by the ministry of federal health and an approval is still awaited.
He said a small investment by the government will help Pakistan to improve its nutrition indicators which currently are very disappointing and there has been no significant improvement since last few years.
“We are hopeful that the planning commission will make all out efforts to approve and allocate the required amount for the project,” he said.
When contacted, officials at the Planning Commission of Pakistan said that PC-I was resubmitted in November last year and was being scrutinised.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2017.