LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said on Sunday commitment made on Women’s Day to establish daycare centres for working women is materialising under a special initiative of Women Development Department.
Under the project, 650 daycare centres are planned in hospitals, educational institutions and government offices across Punjab with an allocation of Rs1 billion.
According to Women Development Department Secretary Saman Rai, the first phase envisages establishment of 390 daycare centres; 350 are fully functional, while 40 are nearing completion.
The chief minister has also set a target of establishing 650 daycare centres by next financial year.
Each daycare centre will be equipped with educational material, toys and LCD screens for children. Trained caregivers will be appointed to look after children, while Women Development Department will bear the initial salaries of caregivers.
Daycare centres have already been established in all Daanish Schools. Priority has also been given to setting up facilities in girls’ colleges and hospitals in South Punjab and other remote districts.
In Lahore, a target of 86 centres was set for government offices, educational institutions and hospitals, of which 70 have become functional. Centres have also been established at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Bar Council.
In Faisalabad, 20 daycare centres have been established in government institutions.
Functional daycare centres include 21 in Bhakkar, 18 in Sheikhupura, 18 in Layyah, 17 in Khanewal, 15 in Okara, 14 in Nankana Sahib, 12 each in Sialkot and Vehari, 17 in Bahawalpur, 16 in Multan, 12 in Gujranwala, and seven each in Rawalpindi and Sargodha.
Meanwhile, in her message on the World Food Safety Day, CM Punjab reiterated commitment to safe and nutritious food. She reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring provision of safe and nutritious food for all.
She said, “Every individual associated with agriculture, food production and supply systems plays a vital role in ensuring food safety”.
The CM noted a comprehensive report estimating global, regional and national burden of food-borne diseases, deaths and their impact on public health has also been published.
Maryam Nawaz said combating food-borne illnesses and malnutrition is a shared responsibility. Punjab is blessed with fertile land, hardworking farmers and abundant agricultural resources, but faces challenges of climate change, water scarcity, population growth and changing food consumption patterns, she added.
The chief minister said her government is undertaking extensive measures based on agricultural research and modern technology to enhance crop productivity and mitigate the effects of climate change.
She said access to pure, nutritious and quality food free from harmful chemicals, adulteration and substandard ingredients is fundamental right of every citizen. Punjab Food Authority is carrying out strict crackdowns against food adulteration and ensuring availability of quality food across.
She said strict implementation of one-dish policy at the weddings is being ensured to reduce food wastage. Special measures have also been introduced to improve food standards and hygiene practices, she added.
