ISLAMABAD: Federal Special Secretary for Health, Mirza Nasruddin Mashhood Ahmed, emphasised that “only a healthy mother can give birth to a healthy child”, highlighting maternal nutrition as a national priority for the Government of Pakistan.
Speaking at a global seminar on “Strengthening Maternal Nutrition” held at a local hotel in Islamabad, the special secretary said that the health of future generations is directly linked to the nutrition of mothers, and this critical issue cannot be overlooked.
He underscored the government’s collaborative efforts at both federal and provincial levels with organizations like the Junaid Family Foundation (JFF) to promote Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS).
Due to a lack of awareness and education in remote areas, women’s nutritional needs are often ignored, he noted.
The seminar was attended by leading health experts and policymakers, including JFF Chairman Ansar Junaid, Executive Director Jackie Renge, Dr. Abdul Ghaffar, and UNICEF Deputy Representative Shameela Rasool.
D. Ghaffar shared that in 2024 alone, over one million MMS supplements were distributed by JFF across 32 districts of Pakistan.
Jackie Renge added that strong coordination among government bodies, the private sector, and welfare organisations is crucial to ensure access to maternal health resources across a vast country like Pakistan.
