Launch of School Nutrition Program for Children’s Health in Punjab According to Chief Minister’s Vision
Following the vision of Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the School Nutrition Program has been launched for the better health of children. The program was inaugurated at the Divisional Public School by Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir, Housing and Urban Development Minister Bilal Yaseen, and Salma Butt.
Under the School Nutrition Program, free screenings will be conducted for children, and they will be provided with two months’ worth of nutritious food. In this pilot project, 38,000 children from 25 schools have been included. According to the Director General of the Food Authority, 7,000 children have already completed their screenings, and 2,200 children were found to have severe health and growth issues. An online portal has been established for the project, where parents, principals, and nutrition experts can access complete information through the Punjab Food Authority’s website.
The School Nutrition Program has been divided into two phases. In the pilot phase, children will undergo screening and receive nutritious food for two months. After two months, a re-screening will take place, and the project will be expanded to all of Punjab. A School Coordination Committee, consisting of the principal and two teachers, has been formed in each school. Furthermore, the program aims to make 1 million female students and 3 million male students in Punjab “Food Champions.”
The lunch boxes provided to the children adhere to global food standards, and the program is being implemented with the collaboration of various international nutrition organizations. The focus is not only on improving children’s educational abilities but also on their cultural training and nutritional education. Understanding what children eat, when they eat, and whether the food is of standard quality is crucial.
Officials report that 40% of children suffer from stunting due to malnutrition, 28% from wasting, 30% are underheight for their age, and 9.5% are overweight. The country faces a severe lack of awareness regarding nutrition. The School Nutrition Program has been designed in line with international standards. The DG of the Food Authority emphasized the importance of including meat, lentils, milk, yogurt, and vegetables in the proper amounts in children’s diets. He also suggested that those suffering from nutritional deficiencies should consume vitamin-rich foods like apples, pomegranates, carrots, beets, and leafy greens.
Following the Chief Minister’s directives, steps will be taken to ensure the provision of standard food to every household in Punjab, from young children to older adults. Housing Minister Bilal Yaseen stated that by consuming good nutrition, our children could reach great heights. Today is the day for change, and that change will brighten our children’s future. He mentioned that he established the Punjab Food Authority in his first ministry and praised Asim Javed and his team for their outstanding performance. Bilal Yaseen added that all provincial food authorities have taken training from the Punjab Food Authority, recognizing it as a model for the rest.
Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir highlighted the need for awareness about what components to include in food. He emphasized the importance of children’s mental and physical growth for their future success and stated that policies and laws regarding nutrition need to be established.
The Chief Minister of Punjab’s initiative, which began in Rajanpur, has now been extended to more areas. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister noted that when brain development is stunted, children become prone to boredom, whether in competitive exams or the sports field. Health is crucial, and we need to address these challenges immediately.
Salma Butt pointed out that the statistics are a matter of concern, and we must take action now. She reassured that the Chief Minister is working on measures to protect the health of the people. The DG of Civil Services emphasized the need for effective laws, suggesting a shift from junk food to healthy food. He also mentioned that under the leadership of Asim Javed, the Punjab Food Authority has made significant strides in nutrition work over the past three months.
The DG of Civil Services further stated that awareness programs should be expanded in print, electronic media, and educational institutions. He shared that 244 officers from the federal government are being trained at the Civil Services Academy and that seminars and workshops are being planned at government schools. Awareness campaigns across 55,000 government schools in Punjab will be the first step towards success.
Senior journalists Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami and food expert Mohsin Bhatti also spoke at the event, discussing the importance of nutritious food for children. At the end, the DG of the Food Authority praised the children and mentioned that Food Authority officers have contributed from their own salaries to prepare lunch boxes for the children. He highlighted that children’s health issues are alarming and immediate actions must be taken. Thousands of children are severely affected by nutritional deficiencies, and without attention, both physical and mental growth will be impacted. He affirmed that everyone will work together to support the Punjab School Nutrition Program, ensuring that every child, from Lahore to Rajanpur, grows up healthy and brings honor to Punjab.
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