Maternal & Child Nutrition
Maternal & Child Nutrition
Nourishing Mothers. Supporting Healthy Childhoods.
District Health Office (DHO) Islamabad, with support from UNICEF and CIFF, provides essential nutrition services to prevent and treat child malnutrition and strengthen maternal health across the district.
Better Nutrition for Mothers and Children
In a vital effort to combat maternal and child malnutrition, the District Health Office (DHO) Islamabad—with the generous support of UNICEF and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)—has scaled up critical nutritional interventions across the capital territory. This collaborative initiative addresses dietary gaps and stunting, providing targeted therapeutic foods, essential micronutrients, and comprehensive healthcare counseling directly to vulnerable communities.
At the heart of this lifesaving campaign is a robust network of Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) sites, strategically established across both rural and urban areas of Islamabad. These dedicated centers provide accessible, localized treatment for acute malnutrition, empowering families with life-changing clinical support, professional follow-ups, and the resources necessary to ensure a healthier, brighter future for every child.
Supporting Healthy Growth and Development
Providing vital, lifesaving nutrition services and structured support systems to safeguard maternal health and early childhood development in our communities.
- Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for SAM
- Multiple Micronutrient Powders (MNPs) for children under two
- IYCF counselling and nutritional awareness campaigns
- Active community screening for malnutrition detection
- Mother-to-Mother Support Groups via Lady Health Workers
MATERNAL HEALTH INITIATIVE • APRIL 2025
Better Nutrition for Healthier Pregnancies
To safeguard maternal well-being, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSR&C), in proud partnership with Nutrition International, officially rolled out the landmark Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) framework. This structural transition updates traditional Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) guidelines with a more robust micronutrient standard.
Our targeted intervention focuses deeply on enhancing maternal nutritional health during the critical early stages of child development, securing better outcomes for both mother and infant.
- 15 essential vitamins and minerals tailored for pregnancy
- Proven mitigation against low birth weight and preterm births
- Coordinated country-wide delivery to marginalized communities
Supporting Adolescent Nutrition
The SOPRAN initiative represents a vital step forward in addressing the unique nutritional requirements of adolescent schoolgirls. This comprehensive approach ensures that young women are empowered with critical knowledge, support networks, and clinical resources to transition successfully into adulthood.
Central to this mission is the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid (WIFA) supplementation campaign. Specifically tailored for in-school girls, this program actively combats micronutrient deficiencies, reducing the risk of anemia and reinforcing cognitive and academic potential across classrooms.
10,890
In-School Girls Reached
empowered with targeted Weekly Iron and Folic Acid (WIFA) supplementation programs to foster robust health and academic focus.
Progress Towards Better Nutrition
A clear tracking of our targeted interventions designed to systematically combat malnutrition, improve micronutrient status, and secure generational health.
MMS Introduction — April 2025
Transitioning to Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) to set a higher benchmark for prenatal nutrition care.
10,890 Girls Reached with WIFA
Successful large-scale rollout of Weekly Iron and Folic Acid supplementation, protecting adolescent populations against chronic anemia.
Improved Micronutrient Access
Strengthened supply lines and local healthcare networks to ensure reliable, uninterrupted delivery of vital micronutrients.
Breaking the Cycle of Malnutrition
Providing structural health support that breaks intergenerational malnutrition, fostering healthier futures for newborn children.
Every Mother Matters. Every Child Deserves a Healthy Start.
DHO Islamabad remains resolutely dedicated to safeguarding the health of mothers and infants across the region. Through integrated maternal care, proactive child nutrition initiatives, and robust community healthcare frameworks, we strive to build a foundation where every family can thrive with dignity and complete well-being.
