Minister for eradicating malnutrition

LAHORE

Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir has said that District Nutrition Addressing Committees should be made vibrant to cope with the issues of malnutrition in children and pregnant women and ensure implementation on the strategy at district level. 

He stated this while addressing the sensitisation seminar for the members of District Nutrition Addressing Committees (DNAC) of Lahore division organised by Planning and Development Department (P&D) in collaboration with Policy Strategic Planning Unit (PSPU), P&S Healthcare Department in collaboration of Unicef at a local hotel on Wednesday. Member Health P&D Department Dr Shabana Haider, Director, Policy and Strategic Planning Unit (PSPU) Khalid Ranjha, Additional Secretary Food, Director General Fisheries, officers/officials of Health Department, Food, Social Welfare, Education, Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Primary & Secondary Healthcare Departments, all key stakeholders from government and international partners DCOs, EDOs and MSNS focal persons attended the seminar. Representatives of International Development partners including Unicef, WHO, UNFPA were present. 

The purpose of this sensitisation meeting was to eradicate malnutrition and stunting at the district level and to mobilise all sectors towards achieving Sustainable Multi-sectoral goals.

Provincial Coordinator and Health Specialist of Unicef Dr Tahir Manzoor gave presentation on the malnutrition and its related health issues of children and women.

Dr Tahir Manzoor stated that at 44pc Pakistan’s Under 5 Stunting Rates are much higher than the global rate. This is third highest percentage of Stunted Children in the World. Every 17 in 50 children under 5 in Punjab are “Stunted”. Undernourishment doubles the risk of children dying before they turn five. It increases the risk of Children dying before they turn 5. It also increases the risk of children having brain damage, stunted growth, and lack of normal cognitive development that can destroy their chances of leading a normal life in their adulthood. Dr Shabana emphasised that all the government departments at all level should come forward and take ownership of this important burning issue. The DCOs, EDOs and sectoral focal persons should make it imperative Multi-sectoral Nutrition strategy is implemented and monthly progress report shared with Provincial Nutrition steering committee.

This was followed by participation of all sectoral government department heads highlighting their activities under MSNS and ensured their undying support to address malnutrition. Minister Health Khawaja Imran Nazir said the role of District Nutrition Committees is very important in implementation on the strategy and decisions at district level for which DCOs should hold regular meetings of District Nutrition Addressing Committees monthly. Khawaja Imran Nazir ensured that addressing malnutrition and stunting is a government’s priority, not only to safeguard the future of our children but also to ensure improved economic growth. He emphasised that the dangers inherent in child malnutrition are too serious for government to ignore.

Kh Imran Nazir said the Punjab government was paying attention to prevent diseases with the help of nutrition food rather than the treatment of diseases, healthy mother is surety to give birth a healthy child. He said the world second largest food, drug and agriculture laboratory being set up in Lahore so that pure and healthy food supply should be ensured to the masses.