Research on School Milk Program in Pakistan Shows Positive Impact on Child Growth and Education
School Milk Program and nutritional value of milk. A project for the promotion of milk in children at school level to counter stunted growth in Pakistan. Project gives positive results. Besides improving the health of children, it is also improving the school attendance and interest in education. Results presented in a ceremony at Lahore.
دودھ کا عالمی دن، ورلڈ ملک ڈے ۔۔ یکم جون
دودھ کے مختلف پہلوؤں کا احاطہ کرتی خصوصی تحریر، پروفیسر ڈاکٹر محمد یونس
The research results of the School Milk Program, a collaboration between the University of Education, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore and FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan, have been announced.
The aim of the project was to research the benefits of daily milk consumption for children and highlight the need to develop a policy to provide milk in schools at the national level. The results of the project were announced at a ceremony held at a local hotel in Lahore.
School Milk Program Implemented in Attock and Sheikhupura
In this project, milk was provided to children from 90 primary schools in Attock and Sheikhupura districts. Positive results were revealed after giving milk to children in school for three months.
There was an increase in dedication to studies, while improvements were also seen in height and weight. In schools where milk was provided, there was a 20 percent increase in attendance and a significant decrease in stunting and mental retardation.
FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan provided resources for the milk supply chain and research with its technical and operational expertise, while the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore and the University of Education conducted research on the effects on school children.
Dignitaries Attend the Ceremony
The event was attended by Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Wasiq Abbasi, Provincial Minister for Food Sardar Hasnain Bahadur Dareshak, Minister for Health Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Minister for Higher Education Raja Humayun Sarfraz, Vice Chancellor University of Education Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, Vice Chancellor University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore Prof. Dr. Naseem Ahmed, Director General Punjab Food Authority Mudassar Riaz Malik, Amara Khan and Managing Director of FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan Ali Ahmed Khan, among other social and administrative figures.
Comments of Dignitaries
On this occasion, Sardar Hasnain Bahadur Dareshak said that the dedication and commitment of the project partners in working in harmony to make this program a success are commendable.
Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid said that no policy framework can be effective unless it is backed by research. Scientific research plays an essential role in improving policy and legislation.He said that he is very happy to see that the School Milk Program has been launched.
Provincial Minister Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfraz said that the School Milk Program reiterates that milk is an essential component of child health. He said that research from universities should be used as a basic resource for the best policy framework.
Vice Chancellor University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore Prof. Dr. Naseem Ahmed said that he recommends all stakeholders, especially provincial governments, federal governments and even the private sector, to adopt such programs.
VC University of Education Remarks
Vice Chancellor University of Education Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha said that the pilot project was implemented on scientific lines with purely professional methods.
He said that not only the participating children but also their parents were taken into confidence and informed about the objectives of the School Milk Program.
He said that the results of the program were surprisingly positive.
دودھ کے اجزاء کی بطور مائیکروبئل ایجنٹ اہمیت کے موضوع پر ویبینار کا انعقاد
وزیرِ اعظم کی تقاریراور سٹنٹڈ گروتھ
غذائی قلت کی بنیادی وجہ غربت – پروفیسر ڈاکٹر طلعت نصیر پاشا
