FROM MENAHILL RASHID
FAISALABAD : Chris Kaye, representative and Country Director, World Food Program (WFP), called on University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan at VC Chamber and discussed matters pertaining to malnutrition, hunger and food security.
The WFP team also attended a briefing at Syndicate Room where matters relating to students’ internship at 500 WFP centres across the country, bringing WFP in Pak Korea Nutrition Center established at UAF as collaborator, and various aspects of one-health program came under discussion. Both sides vowed to work together in matters of mutual interest.
Chris Kaye said that malnutrition and stunting significantly impact the health and future of children across Pakistan. He said that WFP working with Ehsaas Nashonuma program would help address the issue of malnutrition.
Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that Pak Korea Nutrition Center (PKNC) had been established at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) under the Ehsaas framework center to address the malnutrition issue that has hit half of the population”. He said that “Health problems are arising due to malnutrition. If we make flour from a mixture of wheat and corn, it will also improve the quality of food. He said that in the country, 40.9% boys are malnourished, while 39.4% girls are facing malnutrition and 28% are underweight.
Faculty of Food Nutrition and Home Sciences UAF Dean Prof Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said that PKNC will train government officials, nutrition policy makers and master trainers, nutrition educational experts, lady health workers, nutritionists and school teachers etc to improve nutrition and child nutrition. He said that PKNC comprises six research chairs including nutrition and public health; food fortification; food processing; product development and value addition; database and componential analysis; and policy and advocacy.
