Nutrition in Emergency Certificate Course Resume at KMU-IBMS

The first batch of Nutrition in Emergency (NiE) certificate course started at the department of human nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar. Primary objective of the course is to enhance capacity of the relevant staff of the government departments, development partners, and graduates aspiring to work in emergency context, to design and lead effective response to nutrition in emergencies. The course is organized with collaboration of UNICEF and Planning and Development, Gov. of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Participants of the course include nominees from various government departments, NGOs and graduates interested to work in emergency situations.

Commenting at the occasion, Dr Muhammad Saleem Gandapur, Registrar KMU highlighted need for enhancing capacity of the nutrition workforce to effectively respond to nutrition situations in emergencies. He shared that KMU is focusing on creating a pool of highly skilled nutrition graduates and trained professionals, who can work in any given situation to improve nutrition situation in the country. He thanked UNICEF and Health Department for the collaboration with KMU, as this collaboration is a sustainable way to approach nutrition. He expressed KMU’s continued commitment to work in areas like Infant Young Child Feeding (IYCF) and adolescent nutrition.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Fazal Majeed, Deputy Director Nutrition, Director General Health Services KP praised KMU initiative and underlined his continued support to the university for similar courses. Mr Eric, Nutrition Chief, UNICEF appreciated efforts of the KMU to organize this certificate course. He said that nutrition situation is already at emergency level and we need to do more. He emphasized need for good training of the relevant sectors for effective response to the nutrition situation in the country. He further said that UNICEF will continue to partner with KMU and other institutions for continued capacity building and effective response to nutritional needs.

Mr. Aien Khan of UNICEF stressed the participants to gain maximum knowledge from the opportunity. He further said that other courses like IYCF and adolescent nutrition will also be jointly organized in KMU and other institution of higher learning. Dr. Khalid Iqbal, Course Coordinator shared that these modules are now already incorporated in the M. Phil Human Nutrition Course. He thanked UNICEF, Health Department and SUN P&D for support and collaboration.