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Kitchen Gardening and the Behavioural Change Communication activities integration and coordination with FAO- DOW University of Medical Sciences & BNPMC
Coordination meeting has been held in Provincial Nutrition Directorate Health Department Government of Balochistan by FAO team With BNPMC, the team of FAO was leading by National Consultant and Associate Professor at DOW University of Health Sciences Karachi Dr. Nilofer Fatima, BCC Expert at NSP and Assistant Professor DOW University of Health Sciences Karachi Dr. Zeeshan Shaikh, Project Manager and Assistant Professor at DOW University of Health Sciences Dr. Shahkamal Hashmi. Deputy Program Manager Nutrition Program Dr. Ghulam Mustufa, BCC Expert BNPMC Ms. Farzana Baloch were in the meeting
The meeting was chaired by Director Nutrition Balochistan Dr. Amin Khan Mandokhail, he welcomed the distinguished team of DOW-NSP- FAO in visiting nutrition program Balochistan.
Director Nutrition said Government of Balochistan is utilising all its available resources to coup up with the problem of malnutrition in the province, and firmly believes of coordinated endeavors.
He said the concept of Provincial Nutrition Directorate has been introduced in the province to integrate all the services in relation to attain maximum outputs , to the said MNCH, National Program for Lady Health Worker's Program and Nutrition program will co-jointly render services in expanding health interventions. Endorsing that in the recent years routine immunization of the province has been impressively been improved.
In relation to the kitchen gardening pilot project, Dr. Amin Khan Mandokhail elaborated that the concept being introduced is a good omen for the province will boost the interventions of Nutrition Services along with introduction of health food agri practices in the province. He said Food security is one of the leading issues of many governments globally. Kitchen gardening is an innovative project and government of Balochistan appreciates the concept, to which the women in the remote areas will be able to produce fresh vegetables, but more importantly the role of BCC in the said is critically acclaimed because by engaging them in such healthy practices available channels of health i.e., National Program LHW, CMWs and LHVs be utilized to convince them in practicing such will be a viable option. He said, engaging the women in a tribal society are strictly prohibited to convince them in such the LHWs, CMWs, LHVs will be a viable option.
He said efforts shall be made in cultivating Moringa will be more feasible with abundance nutritional appraisal globally.
He emphasized for a base line survey of the said interventions being done in the province previously, and it is demanded to be done on priority. He further said that Government does efforts in treating malnutrition but it is foremost important to made efforts in curbing the genuine causes. In the province it has been seen the main decision makers in the society of this particular province are religious clerics and change be seen in motivation to this particular segment in shape of Friday sermons along with other related religious gatherings. In the home base decision making process Mother in Laws has hold he added.
Pertaining to consistent Droughts ,water scarcity and dwindling water table are also serious issues for far-flung areas as in many areas the population have suck out the fossil water, to the particular kitchen gardening project, innovative watering means shall be used he urged.
Answering to a question about reuse of water for agri kitchen gardening he said the population will never be convinced in utilising the used water, they resist because of health and hygiene problems.
Deputy Program Manager Nutrition Program Dr. Ghulam Mustafa said integrated approach with FAO will be welcomed by Balochistan Nutrition program and every possible outreach cooperation will be extended in this regard. He said IPC tolls developed by BNPMC are viable source to be used by FAO in BCC activity in modification will be viable.
He said kitchen gardening have economic components but the problem of affordability in the province arises, as most of the population are living below poverty line he added. Such kitchen gardening program has acceptability but in continuation to provisions of available resources to the community will be appraised. In the kitchen gardening Balochistan have various geographical patterns and weather conditions this shall be adopted in piloting. Balochistan Nutrition Program and FAO must build a consolidated coordinated linkage for the success of the Pilot project. He asked for a comprehensive methodology is defined priory in implementation of this particular pilot project in the said districts. Work plan shall be given along with the planning phases shall be shared in according. Proper evaluation shall be chalk out. More over any support regarding the particular project Balochistan Nutrition program will extend its support in this manner.
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