Nutrition experts at NUMS seminar call for National Nutrition Policy to raise awareness among masses about significance of nutrition.

RAWALPINDI -- Nutrition and dietetics experts Sunday emphasized the need for formulation of National Nutrition Policy (NNP) to raise awareness among masses regarding the significance of nutrition and its impact on health of present and future generations.

They were speaking at a seminar, organized by National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Department of Nutrition and Dietetics (DND) at its PWD Campus to celebrate 'March Nutrition Month' being celebrated across the world with the theme "Fuel for the Future."

Dr. Abdul Momin Rizwan, Head of Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at NUMS in his remarks said it was imperative to have National Nutrition Policy (NNP) for a country like Pakistan as it was facing triple burden of malnutrition including over nutrition, under nutrition and hidden hunger (micro nutrient deficiencies) which were extremely common in the country. These issues can be addressed through NNP which will be executed at national and provincial level with clear guidelines and goals. He said some good work in bits and pieces, was being done at public and private sector but that was not yielding desired results to root- out malnutrition.

Shahid Fazal, a nutrition expert and Regional Advisor at Nutritional International, an international Non-Governmental Organization said that a consensus on NNP among the provinces was necessary for formulation of such policy to ensure uniformity in its implementation at the provincial level as well to achieve the set goals to tap actual potential of Pakistani children.

Referring to a report launched by the Pakistan Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Secretariat at the Ministry of Planning Development and Reform, in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Shahid Fazal said the consequences of malnutrition was costing Pakistan US$ 7.6 billion per year.

Dr. Umar...