Minister
of State and Chairperson BISP MNA Marvi Memon visited Rahim Yar khan today
where she was briefed on research on the effectiveness of a nutrition programme
involving Specialized Nutritious Foods (SNF), Cash Based Transfers and Behavior
Change Communication (BCC) to prevent stunting among children in district Rahim
Yar Khan being carried out by World Food Programme( WFP) in collaboration with
BISP, Integrated Reproductive Mother Neonatal Child Health (IRMNCH) Programme
Punjab and Agha Khan University. The research which will be concluded in 2019
would be showcased to the world for best practices and is thus the focus of
much international attention.
This research is being done under
the Letter of Understanding (LOU) signed between WFP, BISP and Punjab Health
Department to build evidence base of different nutrition sensitive mechanisms
that can contribute to the reduction of chronic malnutrition amongst under 2
years of age children in Pakistan. The study is being conducted within BISP
beneficiaries having pregnant and lactating women and 6-23 months old children
in BISP households.
Speaking
to the officials of WFP, Punjab Health Department, Agha Khan University and
BISP beneficiaries, Chairperson BISP stated that food insecurity is matter of
high concern as 44% of children in Pakistan, 39% in Punjab and 42% in Rahim Yar
Khan less than 5 years of age are stunted. This alarming situation needs to be
tackled at the earliest. She added that BISP is taking lead in war against
stunting as this research would provide a scalable sustainable model for
integrating nutrition specific and sensitive approaches to BISP, the premier
national social safety net of the country, thus furthering the gains in curbing
malnutrition.
The Chairperson added that as these
children belong to the poorest segment of society being facilitated by BISP
through its Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT), BISP’s role is pivotal in this
fight against malnutrition. She said that financial assistance through BISP is
effectively helping the downtrodden in meeting their basic needs particularly
food and health. BISP Impact Evaluation Studies highlight the positive
impact of BISP in reducing malnutrition rates as BISP stipend has increased the
monthly food consumption driven by high protein intake in BISP families.
Shahzada Rashid WFP Head Punjab and
Salma Yaqub Programme Officer WFP briefed that that the project is being
implemented through IRMNCH programme Punjab in coordination with Department of
Health at district level and in close coordination with Agha Khan University.
“Wawamum” and “Maamta” are being provided to children between 6-24 months and
pregnant and lactating mothers respectively. The identified BISP beneficiaries
would also be provided with behavior change communication. The research would
follow three pathways that include cash transfer within a national social
protection programme, women empowerment design and implementation of well
structured behavioral change communication interventions to come up with an
innovative model to prevent malnutrition.
Chairperson BISP held meetings with
all the four groups of BISP beneficiaries enrolled in this research, where she
was briefed by the field team on process of identification of beneficiaries for
research. The beneficiaries have been divided into four groups. The first group
receives cash grant only, the second is provided with cash grant along with
SNF, the third one is getting cash assistance along with enhanced BCC and the
fourth group is being provided cash assistance, SNF and Enhanced BCC . She also
visited the homes of enrolled BISP beneficiaries where she inspected the follow
up and data recording mechanism.
Chairperson
BISP reiterated that the results of this research would highlight the best
nutrition sensitive approach that can then be replicated all across Pakistan
and eventually the world to address malnutrition, stunting and low IQs. Better
nutrition would improve IQ levels and thus guarantee a better future for
Pakistan.
