Punjab scales up daycare network as Maryam Nawaz expands women welfare, food safety initiatives

• 650 daycare centres planned across hospitals, schools and government offices, with 350 centres already functional and 40 nearing completion in first phase

• CM reaffirms commitment to safe, nutritious food on World Food Safety Day

• Crackdown on food adulteration intensified across Punjab under PFA drive

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said her commitment made on Women’s Day to establish daycare centres for working women is rapidly being translated into reality across the province under a special initiative of the Women Development Department.

Under the project, 650 daycare centres are planned in hospitals, educational institutions and government offices across Punjab, with Rs1 billion allocated for their establishment.

According to Women Development Department Secretary Saman Rai, the first phase envisages the establishment of 390 daycare centres, of which 350 are already functional, while 40 are in the final stages of completion.

The chief minister has set a target of completing all 650 daycare centres by the 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 the Women Development Department will initially bear the salaries of caregivers.

Daycare centres have already been established in all Daanish Schools for working women teachers and staff. Priority has also been given to facilities in girls’ colleges and hospitals in South Punjab and other remote districts.

An online monitoring system has also been made operational for daycare centres across the province.

In Lahore, a target of 86 daycare centres was set for government offices, educational institutions and hospitals, of which 70 are now functional. On the chief minister’s directions, daycare centres have also been established at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Bar Council.

In Faisalabad, 20 daycare centres have been established in government institutions for the convenience of working women.

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.

Maryam Nawaz said the protection and welfare of working women remained among her government’s top priorities, adding that daycare centres are being expanded across Punjab to provide better facilities and support.

CM reaffirms govt’s commitment to provision of safe and nutritious food for all

Meanwhile, the chief minister on Sunday also reaffirmed her government’s commitment to ensuring the provision of safe and nutritious food for all on the occasion of World Food Safety Day.

In her message, she said every stakeholder associated with agriculture, food production and supply chains plays a vital role in ensuring food safety. She said the day highlights the importance of preventing, detecting and effectively managing food-borne diseases and related risks in a timely manner.

She noted that a comprehensive report estimating the global, regional and national burden of food-borne diseases and their impact on public health has also been published.

The chief minister said combating food-borne illnesses and malnutrition is a shared responsibility. She added that Punjab, despite fertile land, hardworking farmers and strong agricultural resources, faces challenges including climate change, water scarcity, population growth and changing food consumption patterns.

She said coordinated and comprehensive strategies are being implemented to address these issues, while the government is also undertaking extensive measures based on agricultural research and modern technology to enhance crop productivity and mitigate climate impacts.

She called upon research institutions, the private sector and civil society to contribute towards building a safe, resilient and healthy food system.

Maryam Nawaz said access to pure, nutritious and quality food free from adulteration and harmful ingredients is the fundamental right of every citizen. She said the Punjab Food Authority is conducting strict crackdowns against food adulteration to ensure quality food across the province.

She added that implementation of the one-dish policy at weddings and events is being ensured to reduce food wastage, while special measures are also being taken to improve hygiene standards among small shopkeepers and street vendors.

The chief minister said awareness campaigns are underway to encourage balanced and healthy diets, particularly among children and young people, instead of junk food consumption.