Regional Director World Food Programme for Asia and Pacific, Mr. David Kaatrud called on Federal Minister for National Health Services, Aamer Mehmood Kiani today in Islamabad. The government is committed to address the Nutrition issue in line with the mission of Health care for all, being top most priority. Minister Said that nutrition of mothers and children needs our utmost attention, for it is the children who are the future of our nation. He said that government is also focusing on nutrition of adolescent girls as these are the future mothers and their health would ensure health of the children. Minister appreciated the efforts and support of World Food programme in targeting the issue of food security and malnutrition in Pakistan. We welcome different interventions being carried out through the support of WFP in the country for prevention of stunting, management of acute malnutrition and specially food fortification. The Regional Director WFP shared with minister about different initiatives that WFP is carrying out in Pakistan to target malnutrition and food security. He said that the support by WFP gained momentum and became strategic and program oriented during last few years. Regional Director said that WFP Pakistan is also supporting Nutrition Wing of the Ministry in revitalization and effective functioning of National Fortification Alliance which is playing a key role in policy making, oversight and monitoring of food fortification in the country Regional Director shared some of the intervention in which WFP is supporting the Ministry of Health technically and financially. These include stunting prevention project which has proved very successful as per evaluation of AKU. In addition, WFP is providing support in getting exemption of taxes and duties on import of raw material for Specialized Nutritious Food (SNF) production; support in feasibility study for rice fortification in Pakistan; initiation of fortification of wheat flour produced by Chakkis with vitamin and minerals. Regional Director said that WFP is also interested to support the government in commercialization of locally produced SNF, so that everyone who is malnourished can have access. Health Minister assured Regional Director all out support in their efforts to improve nutrition status of Pakistani population. He said that the preliminary findings of NNS 2018 also suggest that the Nutrition situation in Pakistan needs our concerted and joint efforts especially in far flung and under-privileged and less developed areas in the country. Minister said that with the combined efforts of federal and Provincial Governments, Development Partners and other stakeholders, we would achieve our targets as committed in SDGs.
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