KARACHI: Balochistan’s government is planning to extend its nutrition program, which was launched in 2015, to all 34 administrative districts of the largest and poorest Pakistani province.
“The Balochistan Nutrition Program for Mothers and Children (BNPMC) has been implemented in seven districts,” program coordinator Dr. Ali Nasir Bugti told Arab News on Friday.
“However, the provincial administration has instructed us to prepare a feasibility report to make it work in the other 27 districts as well,” he said.
“We’ll soon present it to the provincial authorities to implement this successful program across Balochistan,” he added.
“Almost 52 percent of children in Balochistan are victims of stunted growth. About 16 percent face acute malnutrition, and 40 percent are underweight,” Bugti said.
“Similarly, 56.8 percent of children and 48.9 percent of mothers are iron-deficient, and 73.5 percent of children and 54.9 percent of women are vitamin A-deficient.”
The program is currently run via 175 feeding centers in seven districts, employing 1,500 well-trained nurses and health workers, 70 percent of whom are female, he added.
This high percentage empowers women by helping them provide financial support for their households, he said.
“Our female health workers distribute multiple micronutrient sachets, and share basic health tips with mothers,” Bugti added.
“Awareness is key. Its dearth, especially among mothers, is one of the causes of stunted growth.”
Malnutrition is a multifaceted problem that can only be resolved via a coordinated effort by relevant government departments, he said.
“The participation of the education department, for instance, is imperative since it can create awareness about these issues by integrating them in its curriculum,” he added. “With more awareness and financial support, we can bring an end to stunting.”
Balochistan to widen nutrition program
Balochistan to widen nutrition program
- The World Bank-sponsored nutrition program is currently underway in seven out of 34 districts of the province
- 52 percent children in Balochistan are victim of stunting, 16.1 percent are facing acute malnutrition, and 40 percent are underweight
International Cricket Council in talks to revive India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash
- Pakistan face two-point loss and net run-rate hit if they forfeit Feb. 15 match
- ICC seeks dialogue after Pakistan boycott clash citing government directive
NEW DELHI, India: The International Cricket Council is in talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board to resolve the boycott of its T20 World Cup match against India on February 15, AFP learnt Saturday.
Any clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is one of the most lucrative in cricket, worth millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsor and advertising revenue.
But the fixture was thrown into doubt after Pakistan’s government ordered the team not to play the match in Colombo.
The Pakistan Cricket Board reached out to the ICC after a formal communication from the cricket’s world body, a source close to the developments told AFP.
The ICC was seeking a resolution through dialogue and not confrontation, the source added.
The 20-team tournament has been overshadowed by an acrimonious political build-up after Bangladesh, who refused to play in India citing security concerns, were replaced by Scotland.
As a protest, Pakistan refused to face co-hosts India in their Group A fixture.
Pakistan, who edged out Netherlands in the tournament opener on Saturday, will lose two points if they forfeit the match and also suffer a significant blow to their net run rate.
India skipper Suryakumar Yadav said this week that his team would travel to Colombo for the clash.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in global or regional tournaments.
