Malnutrition causing many diseases among children

Lahore: Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health, Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that government is implementing various projects to overcome the problem of malnutrition in children and inclusion of nutritional ingredients in their food for developing a healthy society. He said that a large number of children of the country are facing malnutrition and creation of awareness among the people regarding importance of a balanced diet is of vital importance.

He stated this while talking to media while leading a walk to highlight importance of balanced diet arranged by Green Growth Pakistan, here today. Patron Green Growth Pakistan and former Federal Secretary Shahid Hussain Raja, Senior Vice President Akram Khalid, Special Secretary Health Babar Hayat Tarar, representatives of NGOs and a large number of youth were present on the occasion. The walk started from Liberty Market Gulberg and concluded at Origa Centre.

Kh. Salman Rafique said that although poverty is the main cause of malnutrition but there is also a lack of awareness in the affluent and middle class about the importance of balanced diet therefore it is necessary to create awareness in this regard. He said that deficiency of iodine is a great problem which results in complications during pregnancy besides mental diseases, abortion and still birth. Similarly, deficiency of vitamin-A also affects eyesight of children as well as weaken their immunity system. He said that strict action has been launched against those involved in adulteration in edibles and sale of substandard essential items and Punjab Food Authority has launched a crackdown in this regard.

Special Secretary Health Babar Hayat Tarar informed that Punjab Health Department is providing technical training and cooperation to the factories in the production of iodized salt. He said that a dose of vitamin-A is also given to the children during anti-polio campaign.

Furthermore, 87 flour mills are implementing iron fortification flour programme in Punjab. He said that Health Department is also implementing a coordinated programme through lady health workers, lady health visitors, nursing instructors, lady health supervisors and medical officers for highlighting importance of breastfeeding. He congratulated Green Growth Pakistan for arranging nutritional awareness walk. Kh. Salman Rafique said that NGOs serving the humanity would be fully encouraged.