By Our Staff Reporter
QUETTA: In Balochistan, 61.2 % of adolescents and pregnant women are facing anemia problems as result of poor nutrition. Over 46 % of Children under the age of five years are also stunted.
This information was shared by Badruddin Kakar, the Senior Vice President Chamber of Commerce and Industries Quetta quoting national nutrition survey (NNS) 2018 at the launching event of wheat flour fortification on Friday. Wheat Flour Fortification in 18 flour mills of Balochistan was launched at the function. The mills are registered with the Food Fortification Program (FFP).
Fortified wheat flour offers an answer to these chronic malnutrition conditions, Mr. Kakar elaborated. In this process, important micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, zinc, and vitamin B12 are added to the wheat flour.
The practice has been found to be very effective in eliminating nutritional deficiencies especially among the vulnerable population, he added, quoting medical experts. In addition, the fortified wheat flour boosts the immune system by providing micronutrients such as zinc, which enables the body to fight against various infectious diseases”.
Mr. Abdul Wahid Barech, Senior Executive Member of PFMA Balochistan Chapter and owner of Ikram Flour Mill Quetta and flour mills owners of various mills of Quetta were also present on the occasion.
Mr. Badruddin Kakar appreciated the efforts of the Food Fortification Programme (FFP) and its team members, Program Manager Mr. Qavi Khan Achakzai and Fortification Officer Syed Khalil Ahmed. He acknowledged that FFP has provided the enabling ground for the flour mills in the shape of technical support in order to be able to provide fortified wheat flour for the people of Balochistan and requested to continue this support as this is just the beginning.
