25 September 2024, Islamabad – On 24 September, the World Health Organization signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

The agreement covers the management of 169 nutrition stabilization centres at district headquarter hospitals and a number of tehsil headquarter hospitals across the country and paves the way for WHO to support the Government of Pakistan in implementing evidence-based interventions, including the provision of life-saving treatment to over 75 000 severely acutely malnourished children with medical complications and the promotion of breastfeeding as a key strategy to prevent stunting.

The signing ceremony at BISP headquarters in Islamabad was attended by BISP Chairperson Rubina Khalid, BISP Secretary Amer Ali Ahmed and BISP Director General Naveed Akbar. The MoU was signed by Dr Luo Dapeng , WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Pakistan, and BISP Secretary Amer Ali Ahmed.