It is necessary for the concerned government departments to make coordinated efforts at all levels to redress malnutrition issue for the protection of the children.
Speakers agreed to this in a consultative session on Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategy (MSNS) in Lahore on Friday.
Punjab Planning and Development Department organised the session in collaboration with UNICEF Pakistan and Policy Strategic Planning Unit (PSPU).
Health Planning and Development Board member Dr Shabana Haider, UNICEF Health Specialist Dr Tahir Manzoor, World Food Program Provincial Chief Shezada Rashid and Dr Lamina Mehmood from World Health Organization addressed the seminar.
Dr Shabana Haider said that it was imperative upon the DCOs, EDOs and other sectoral focal persons to ensure the MSNS was implemented and that the monthly progress reports were shared with the Provincial Nutrition Steering Committee, as the body overseeing the implementation of the strategy.
She said that Planning and Development Department was making coordinated efforts to implement the MSNS in Punjab to address the issue of stunted growth in children and District Malnutrition Addressing Committees (DMACs) have been constituted for all districts.
Dr Tahir Manzoor, Health Specialist UNICEF described malnourishment as the leading cause of stunted growth.
Other speakers demanded the government to take a stand in this regard and address the issue of malnutrition to save children.