'Govt committed to improve global health index' - The Nation, Pakistan

LAHORE â€" The government is committed to improve global health index and is dedicated to ensure that most vulnerable, especially women and children get the vitamins and minerals they need to survive and thrive, said Planning and Development Division Senior Chief Muhammad Ayub.
Addressing a workshop on regulatory monitoring of salt, oil and wheat flour fortification programmes in Pakistan, organised with the assistance of The Micronutrient Initiative, World Bank and other development partners in Bhurban on Saturday, he appreciated the participation of representatives from oil and ghee, salt and wheat flour industry from all the provinces. He said this workshop would help in improving communication and collaboration between private and public sector with regards to implementation of quality fortification programs.
Micronutrient Initiative Country Director Dr Tausif Akhtar Janjua appreciated government for showing strong commitment to eliminate vitamin and miner al deficiencies from the country. He stressed that monitoring, quality control and regulatory enforcement were the key to success of any fortification programme in a country and this workshop would help strengthen the existing regulatory system in Pakistan and give a way forward for enactment and enforcement of these regulations.
World Bank Consultant Quentin Johnson highlighted the importance of regulatory and monitoring framework of wheat flour, salt and oil fortification programmes. The participants of workshop were updated on global standards for fortified salt, edible oil/ghee and wheat flour and guidelines leading to these standards and regulations.