MoPH Convenes High-Level Meeting to Strengthen Nutrition Support for Mothers and Malnourished Children
A special meeting was held by the Ministry of Public Health of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to support mothers and malnourished children through the domestic production of essential food items, RUTF, and micronutrients.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali; the Deputy Minister for Food and Drugs, Mawlawi Hamdullah Zahid; several central directors; representatives from UNICEF, the United Nations (UN), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, various organizations, and the private sector.
The Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, described malnutrition as a serious challenge for the health sector. He emphasized the need for quality and effective services, sincere cooperation, proper management of aid, ensuring the safety and quality of food products, and strengthening the domestic production of standard nutritional items.
He also stated that producing nutritional materials inside the country not only guarantees quality control but also brings economic benefits and creates job opportunities, reducing the high costs associated with importing these products.
Similarly, the Deputy Minister for Food and Drugs, Mawlawi Hamdullah Zahid, stressed the importance of practical measures to improve and strengthen public nutrition services. He said that the factors harming public nutrition must be thoroughly examined, and necessary actions should be taken to ensure safe food for all.
He further called on international partners not to link public nutrition services to political issues, as nutrition is a human need and a shared responsibility for everyone.
Additionally, the Director of Public Nutrition, Dr. Hikmatullah Masoumi, presented information about the activities and achievements of the directorate and assured the ministry’s leadership of continued efforts and full commitment.
On the other hand, representatives of partner organizations reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the nutrition program and assured the ministry of quality control and regulation of the nutritional foods imported by their contractors. They also shared relevant information and suggestions. At the same time, representatives of the private sector presented details about their capacities and products in this field and requested further cooperation.
