‘Preventing malnutrition remains govt’s priority’
Punjab health minister says appropriate steps can save lives
Representational image of a malnutrition-ed child. PHOTO: REUTERS
LAHORE:
“Preventing and reducing malnutrition saves lives, reduces illness and helps individuals and countries escape from poverty by maximising their potential,” said Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid.
She expressed these views while speaking at the ceremony for the Provincial Dissemination of National Nutrition Survey (NNS) 2018-2019 on Wednesday. The event was organised by the Punjab Planning and Development Board and UNICEF Pakistan.
She maintained that malnutrition remains the top priority of the current government and the relevant ministries and departments have been engaged in efforts to address malnutrition.
Punjab Planning and Development Board Chairman Habibur Rehman said the second goal of the UN’s sustainable development goals addresses the need to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030. “It can only be achieved if no child, woman or man is left behind – regardless of how difficult and challenging the circumstances,” he said.
UNICEF Pakistan Nutrition Chief Eric Alain stated that the event was hosted in order to highlight the key findings of the survey and to shed light on the prevailing situation concerning malnutrition.
The survey is the largest ever nutrition poll of its kind in the country’s history and includes provincial and district level data. The survey provides evidence for scaling up nutrition sensitive and specific interventions with a high level of development and progress.
The survey was conducted by the Aga Khan University in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Services Regulation and Coordination as well as with the support of UNICEF Pakistan and the Department for International Development. The survey assesses the nutrition status of 40,452 households across Punjab.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 8th, 2019.
“Preventing and reducing malnutrition saves lives, reduces illness and helps individuals and countries escape from poverty by maximising their potential,” said Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid.
She expressed these views while speaking at the ceremony for the Provincial Dissemination of National Nutrition Survey (NNS) 2018-2019 on Wednesday. The event was organised by the Punjab Planning and Development Board and UNICEF Pakistan.
She maintained that malnutrition remains the top priority of the current government and the relevant ministries and departments have been engaged in efforts to address malnutrition.
Punjab Planning and Development Board Chairman Habibur Rehman said the second goal of the UN’s sustainable development goals addresses the need to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030. “It can only be achieved if no child, woman or man is left behind – regardless of how difficult and challenging the circumstances,” he said.
UNICEF Pakistan Nutrition Chief Eric Alain stated that the event was hosted in order to highlight the key findings of the survey and to shed light on the prevailing situation concerning malnutrition.
The survey is the largest ever nutrition poll of its kind in the country’s history and includes provincial and district level data. The survey provides evidence for scaling up nutrition sensitive and specific interventions with a high level of development and progress.
The survey was conducted by the Aga Khan University in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Services Regulation and Coordination as well as with the support of UNICEF Pakistan and the Department for International Development. The survey assesses the nutrition status of 40,452 households across Punjab.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 8th, 2019.