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Pakistan has taken a major step toward improving child health services as 40 new nutrition and treatment centres have been launched under a joint initiative of the World Health Organisation and the Benazir Income Support Programme.
The newly established facilities aim to provide medical care and nutritional support to nearly 15,000 severely malnourished children across vulnerable districts during 2026.
Expansion of Child Nutrition Support in Pakistan
Malnutrition remains one of the most serious public health challenges affecting children under five years of age. Through this collaboration, families registered under BISP will now receive improved access to lifesaving treatment services.
The centres have been introduced in areas facing higher poverty and food insecurity levels, ensuring assistance reaches deserving households already identified through the national welfare database.
Key focus areas include:
- Early diagnosis of severe acute malnutrition
- Free therapeutic food distribution
- Medical screening and monitoring
- Growth and recovery tracking
- Mother and child nutrition counseling
How the New WHO-BISP Centres Will Work
Each nutrition centre is connected with local health facilities to ensure continuous treatment and follow-up care. Children diagnosed with malnutrition will receive structured recovery plans supervised by trained healthcare workers.
Services provided at these centres include:
- ✔ Nutrition assessment for children under five
- ✔ Ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF)
- ✔ Routine health checkups
- ✔ Vaccination referrals
- ✔ Awareness sessions for mothers
Health teams will also educate parents about breastfeeding practices, hygiene, and balanced diets to prevent recurring malnutrition cases.
Support for Low-Income Families Under BISP
Families already benefiting from the BISP Kafalat assistance program will receive priority access to these services. The initiative strengthens Pakistan’s broader social protection network by linking financial assistance with healthcare support.
Officials stated that combining income support with nutrition programs helps reduce long-term health risks among children living in poverty-affected regions.
National Effort to Reduce Child Malnutrition
Pakistan continues to work with international partners to address nutrition emergencies caused by inflation, food shortages, and climate-related challenges. The launch of these centres represents an important milestone toward improving child survival rates and strengthening community healthcare systems.
Authorities expect the program to expand further if recovery outcomes remain positive throughout 2026.
Conclusion
The establishment of 40 WHO-BISP nutrition centres marks a significant move toward protecting vulnerable children from severe malnutrition. By integrating healthcare services with social welfare support, Pakistan aims to ensure healthier growth, improved immunity, and a safer future for thousands of children nationwide.