40 New WHO-BISP Centres Launched to Treat 15,000 Malnourished Children
In collaboration with the Benazir Income Support Programme, the World Health Organization will now assist 169 centers and 700 employees nationwide, serving over 70,000 children annually and offering counseling to 120,000 mothers and caregivers.
WHO and BISP Expand Nutrition Support with 40 New Stabilization Centres
Since November, 40 new Nutrition Stabilization Centers have been established thanks to cooperation from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Pakistan’s Benazir Income Cooperation Programme (BISP), strengthening the nation’s response to child nutrition.
These facilities are committed to preserving the lives of children under five who have severe acute malnutrition and other health issues.
With the establishment of these additional facilities, WHO now has 169 nutrition stabilization centers around the country, supported by a skilled team of almost 700 medical professionals.
Over 70,000 undernourished children will receive treatment annually thanks to this improved system, and over 120,000 moms and caregivers will gain from crucial nutrition counseling and awareness programs.
New WHO-BISP Nutrition Centre Inaugurated in Swabi, KP
This week, KP Health Minister Khaleeq Ur Rehman, WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr. Luo Dapeng, and Chairperson BISP Senator Rubina Khalid opened one of the new facilities at the Bacha Khan Medical Complex in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
The Benazir Nashonuma Program of BISP is a significant and successful effort to improve mothers’ and children’s nutrition and overall health. With the help of provincial governments, these nutrition stabilization centers-which were founded in collaboration with WHO and offer life-saving care-will gradually be extended to more regions of Pakistan, according to Senator Rubina Khalid.
40 Centers Will Support 15000 Children Annually
The 40 new centers, which will serve an estimated 15,000 children a year, have received support from WHO teams in the form of repairs and restorations, capacity-building, human resource support, supply provision, including therapeutic food, and extensive technical assistance.
97% of children treated in stabilization centers funded by WHO and BISP nationwide have recovered.
WHO Reaffirms Commitment to Saving Children’s Lives Through Nutrition Care
“We are especially grateful for and proud of this partnership because we are utilizing a science-based strategy to manage the most difficult instances of malnutrition with medical complications, saving thousands of lives. These kids would sadly perish without the care given in the stabilization centers. One child dying from hunger is already too many, according to Dr. Luo Dapeng.
“WHO stands with Pakistan to continue saving children’s lives and ensuring a healthier future for everyone without distinction, regardless of their economic status, place of residence, or identity.”
Child Malnutrition in Pakistan: Challenges and Strong Results from BISP-WHO Interventions
Pakistan is still one of the ten nations in the world where over half of children under five suffer from either wasting or stunting, or both. Stunting affects 40% of children under five, or 10 million stunted children, whereas wasting affects 17.7% of children under five, or 5 million wasted children. Every year, acute malnutrition costs the economy $17 billion.
Despite these obstacles, data shows that the interventions under BISP’s Nashonuma program, in collaboration with WHO and other UN organizations like UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP), are producing some of the best results ever recorded for a nutrition program worldwide, with quantifiable effects on child survival and stunting reduction.
These results include a 20% decline in stunting by 6 months of age and a 5.6 percentage-point reduction in low birth weight among beneficiaries.
Conclusion
The launch of 40 new WHO–BISP nutrition stabilization centres marks a major step forward in tackling child malnutrition in Pakistan. By expanding life-saving treatment, strengthening healthcare capacity, and providing vital nutrition counselling to mothers and caregivers, this partnership is protecting thousands of vulnerable children.
Despite the serious challenges Pakistan still faces, the strong results of the BISP Nashonuma Programme show that coordinated, science-based interventions can save lives and build a healthier future for children across the country.
