ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recorded a significant reduction in child stunting under the Benazir Income Support Programme’s Benazir Nashonuma Programme (BNP), according to an independent impact evaluation conducted by Aga Khan University.
The evaluation found that stunting among beneficiary children was reduced by 22 percent at six months of age and by 18 percent at one year of age, reflecting progress in efforts to address child malnutrition and improve maternal health outcomes in vulnerable communities.
The findings were presented during a session held at BISP headquarters in Islamabad on Thursday. The study also reported a 6 percent reduction in low birth weight cases, an 11 percent decline in premature births and a 7 percent decrease in weak and vulnerable newborns.
Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmed Shah described the results as an important development for Pakistan’s social protection sector, stating that targeted nutrition and maternal health interventions could significantly improve child health outcomes.
BISP Chairperson Rubina Khalid said the programme had reached more than 4.5 million women and children across 157 districts through a network of 578 facilitation centres and 169 stabilization centres nationwide.
She said the programme aimed to combine social protection with nutrition and healthcare interventions to support long-term human development and improve the well-being of vulnerable families.
Experts highlight importance of early childhood nutrition
During the event, Ayesha Raza Farooq stressed the importance of investing in children’s health and nutrition, particularly during the first 1,000 days from conception to a child’s second birthday.
Global health expert Zulfiqar Bhutta presented the evaluation findings and said the programme was contributing to measurable improvements in maternal and child health indicators.
Anita Zaidi described the Benazir Nashonuma Programme as a strong model of social protection and acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to improve health outcomes for women and children.
Representatives from the World Health Organization, World Food Programme and UNICEF also attended the session alongside BISP officials.
Also read: Benazir Nashonuma Programme to distribute 3.7m nutritional packs to combat stunting
Today's E-Paper