Number of people are facing issues of stunted growth, health maintenance and reproduction in Punjab due to not consuming balanced diet owing to the lack of awareness. A huge portion of the population did not know what to eat and what to avoid which is a big reason behind increasing health-related issues and foodborne diseases.
According to the National Nutrition Survey, 44 percent children and 60 per cent women are suffering from nutritional issues in Punjab which is a serious threat to this nation.
To curb all these issues, the provincial food regulatory body (Punjab Food Authority) is utilizing all available resources and bringing efforts to make Punjab Healthy. In this connection, the authority has decided to introduce first ever food helpline for free food-related consultancy for the people of this nation. While Public Awareness Wing will prepare a strategy to aware citizens about food issues within a week.
To introduce the food helpline was decided in a meeting during reviewing the progress of Public Awareness Wing from Director General Captain (R) Muhammad Usman. He said that PFA is one step forward for the protection of people and to guide them.
He said that PFA is playing a vital role in keeping the nation healthy. He said that we have dire need to set national health goals and objectives and awareness programs that improve the health of all people. He said that the purpose of this call center is to spread awareness of food-related issues and remedies with a focus on disenfranchised diseases by guiding people. PFA is ensuring optimum utilization of the strength of its staff for effective efficiency and satisfactory results. He said that qualified nutrition experts would be present on the helpline to give their expert advice to a caller and give answers to the queries of the citizens. He said that consumers will refer to nutrition clinic for further consultation regarding food-related diseases.
Director General PFA also directed authority to launch a monthly magazine of PFA and to add those topics which directly relate to public awareness issues. He said that well-informed people and our society can play a vital role to push towards the success of Punjab Food Authority mission.