Improving nutrition
Pakistan - Wheat Flour Fortification
The goal of the program is to save lives and to improve the health, nutrition, productivity and cognitive function of vulnerable population groups. The program’s purpose is to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among preschool aged children (from 36% to 10%) and women of reproductive age (from 50% to 18%) and to halve the occurrence of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) among newborns (from 0.4% to 0.2% of live births), through the universal fortification of wheat flour with iron and folic acid in Pakistan.
Target group
Children 6-59 months of age - Women of reproductive age.
Fortificant
Food vehicle
Wheat flour - Atta
Outputs
300 flour mills with a minimum daily production capacity of 20 MT gradually upgraded for fortification: 1st year 50 mills, 2nd year 125 mills, 3rd year 125 mills upgraded with supply of fortified wheat flour gradually increased nationwide Effective advocacy and behaviour change communications strategies for the control of iron and folic acid deficiencies through wheat flour fortification designed and implemented Increased awareness among population on the importance of micronutrients, fortification and fortified wheat flour for health and nutrition through social marketing campaign and increased consumer demand for fortified wheat flour throughout the country Development and implementation of legislation for mandatory fortification of wheat flour supported.
Coverage
The program’s aim is to cover 23% of the at-risk population, in particular women of reproductive age and preschool aged children.
Date
08/01/2005
Description
The GAIN project contributes to the first three years of Pakistan’s ten-year National Wheat Flour Fortification Program. The aim of the project is to achieve universal fortification of atta wheat flour with iron and folic acid and to make fortified flour available nationwide, at affordable prices in order to ensure that particularly low-income, high risk people will be reached. The GAIN project will upgrade 300 selected roller flour mills (about half of the total estimated 600 mills throughout the country) in Pakistan with mircofeeders and premix (fortificant) on a cost-recovery basis. Millers will receive comprehensive training and technical assistance. Government initiatives towards a mandatory wheat flour fortification law will be encouraged and supported. Strong social marketing campaigns will be organized to create consumer awareness and demand for fortified wheat flour.
Key achievements
Establishment of Project Management Unit (PMU) embedded in the MOH/NW Communication strategy and materials for advocacy kit finalized MI Pakistan managing the procurement of feeders and premix Launch of the fortification process at mill level by Minister of Health.
In-Country project advisor
A.F. Ferguson & Co
