Islamabad: Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about health, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles. She addressed these issues during a ceremony titled "SOPRAN Learning Dissemination," where she acknowledged the government's efforts and highlighted the necessity for broader outreach.

According to Radio Pakistan, SOPRAN is a pilot initiative under BISP that aims to improve nutrition practices and prevent iron-deficiency anemia among adolescent girls in seven districts of Pakistan. The project has seen a positive response, with over one hundred thousand adolescent girls receiving weekly Iron and Folic Acid tablets across four hundred twenty-five schools in the country. Additionally, nearly two hundred fifty thousand girls participated in school-based nutrition education sessions designed to promote healthier dietary practices and increase awareness of anemia prevention.

Senator Rubina Khalid noted that SOPRAN leverages existing delivery systems, avoiding the need for parallel structures, and has significant potential for nationwide expansion. She expressed her gratitude to the Government of Germany, the Gates Foundation, and all technical partners for their ongoing support and collaboration.

Reaffirming BISP's commitment, Senator Rubina Khalid pledged to continue collaborating with all partners to advance collective efforts for a healthier and stronger Pakistan. The event also featured speeches from representatives of the German Embassy in Pakistan, the Country Director of GIZ Pakistan, and the Gates Foundation.