Karachi, October 5th, 2023_A new AICS field visit has been completed in the last days to Baluchistan, in particular in Lasbela and Khuzdar districts, to monitor main activities in the framework of BISP Programme. Last April, Pakistan-Italy Debt Swap Programme PIDSA allocated PKR 500 million for stunting prevention during the first 1,000 days of life through BISP Nashonuma interventions, by providing nutritious food to more than 20,000 children between 6 and 24 months, breast feeding mothers and pregnant women. The overall BISP programme is implemented by WFP (World Food Programme) in 157 districts all over Pakistan through 531 facilitation centers, including 35 mobile units established in public health facilities, for a total of 1.15 million direct beneficiaries. AICS Islamabad Head of Office Mr. Francesco Zatta led the Italian delegation.
During the visit of Lasbella and Khuzdar public health units, Mr. Zatta had the opportunity to review Programme eligibility criteria and screening activities for children and women for the allocation of specialized nutritious food and cash grants to poor families. Mr. Zatta also talked with responsible personnel about improving the facilities for babies and mothers. The overall programme is forward-moving as planned in terms of immunization, ante-natal checkups and institutional deliveries recorded during visit and discussions with mothers and doctors.
The BISP Nashonuma programme is achieving important results to prevent stunting in children under 2 years old, improving weight gain of women during pregnancy, reducing anemia and micro-nutrient deficiencies, enhancing awareness on maternal and early child health and nutrition, lowering disease burden through improving uptake of available health and nutrition services and preventing low birth weight.