- Advertisement -
ISLAMABAD, Jan 14 (APP):In a major step toward combating malnutrition and improving maternal and child health in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Senator Rubina Khalid Wednesday inaugurated a Nutrition Stabilization Center at Bacha Khan Medical Complex, Swabi, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Health Khaliq-ur-Rehman and WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr. Luo Dapeng, who termed the initiative a significant move to address nutritional deficiencies among mothers and children and to strengthen primary healthcare services in the region.
After formally inaugurating the center, Senator Rubina Khalid was briefed by the medical staff about the facilities and services being provided.
She also interacted with women receiving treatment at the medical complex and reviewed arrangements made for nutritional and medical care.l, said a news release.
Speaking to media representatives, Senator Rubina Khalid thanked the provincial government for its cooperation in establishing the Nutrition Stabilization Center, emphasizing that BISP maintains strong working relationships with all provinces.
She said inter-provincial synergy was essential for sustainable national development and effective service delivery.
She highlighted that BISP’s Benazir Nashonuma Programme was a key initiative aimed at promoting the health and nutrition of mothers and children, particularly during the first two years of life, which she described as critical for a child’s physical and mental development.
Under the programme, comprehensive health and nutrition services are provided from birth up to the age of two.
She said the newly established center would ensure timely and quality nutritional and medical support to mothers and children, adding that essential services including child immunization and provision of nutritional supplements would also be offered.
Senator Rubina Khalid further stated that, with the support of the provincial government, similar Nutrition Stabilization Centers would soon be established in the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
She added that the project would be expanded to more areas in phases.
She also assured that an effective mechanism was in place to ensure transparency in the programme and urged beneficiaries to use the prescribed channels to lodge complaints in case of any issue.