Nutrition project to expand its reach across province
A workshop by SUN and G-B Planning and Development Department discussed economic consequences of malnutrition. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Balochistan becomes the first province in the country to establish baby feed corners & nursing rooms. The government of Balochistan is fully committed to expanding its nutrition programme across the province. Earlier the programme had been initiated in only seven districts of the province, however, now the programme aims to extend its reach to 22 districts of Balochistan.
Dr Rubaba Buledi, parliamentary secretary health Balochistan, briefed the conference on the Nutrition Survey of 2018 in Islamabad and gave information about the future targets and the work already done. She represented Balochistan at the moot.
While speaking at the conference, Dr Buledi emphasized the need to gather resources of the various departments in the United Nations Nutrition program in making sure that their contribution leads to achieving all the targets set out in the nutrition project.
The provincial health department is implementing the “Balochistan Nutrition Project for Mothers and Children” supported by the World Bank and led by the “Multi Donor Trust Fund”. The project aims to improve the nutritional health of mothers and children in the province, whereas, the targets under this project will be implemented in seven districts first, namely Kharan, Panjgur, Noshki, Kohlu, Sibi, Zhob and Killa Saifullah, both at the community level and at the health facility level.
Inadequate maternal and child nutrition is the underlying cause of an estimated 3.5 million deaths every year globally. From the time when the baby is conceived to when they are 59 months old, there is a unique opportunity to improve the long-term health, which includes both physical and cognitive development of younger children, through adequate maternal & child nutrition.
Poverty, lack of health knowledge and access to nutritious food are some of the leading causes of malnutrition. The same affects socio-economic development and addressing malnutrition requires collaborative efforts across all sectors of the government.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2020.