PESHAWAR: The government has launched a programme to address the problem of malnourishment among pregnant women in the seven tribal districts.

The programme titled, ‘iron folic acid supplementation for addressing maternal anaemia in Pakistan’ under the Covid-19 Emergency Response Project’ was launched at a function held here on Tuesday.

The initiative has been started with the support of NGO Nutrition International (NI) and the federal and provincial health departments, according to a press release.

Rabia Basri, chairperson of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s Standing Committee on Health, was the chief guest at the event.

Speaking on this occasion, Dr Shabina Raza, country director NI Pakistan, said the 18-month project offered by the Canadian government aimed at addressing maternal anaemia through provision of iron folic acid supplements to 78,000 pregnant women in Khyber, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Kurram, South Waziristan and North Waziristan districts. She added to improve safe motherhood 11,000 safe delivery kits would be provided to healthcare facilities in the region.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2021