KHOST CITY (SW): Findings by Salam Watandar indicate food items meant for malnourished children provided by aid agencies in Khost are openly sold in the market.
The RUCF and RUTF food supplements are brazenly sold in the market mainly to the youth eyeing to build their bodies in fitness clubs.
Shahabuddin, a manager of a body-building club in Khost city, informed that the employees of the Directorate of Health and the Ministry of Public Health are involved in the trade of these food supplements that have practically replaced other protein-rich items such as boiled eggs and potatoes from fitness clubs. Each pack of these supplements are sold at around 30 rupees.
This illegal trade of the food supplements meant for malnourished children has left many poor and needy children exposed to many vulnerabilities.
Many Khost residents, even those with malnourished children, are unaware about the fact that the aid agencies have provided food supplements meant exactly for their children. Habibur Rehman and Khalid, two such Khost residents, said they have been to the doctors on numerous occasions for treatment of their children, but no one informed them about such a thing. They pronounced the sale of these supplements in the open market as ‘cruelty’.
Dr. Abdul Wahed, officer at the Directorate of Health, acknowledged that these food items were provided to the Ministry of Public Health by aid agencies. He, however, expressed unawareness about the fact that these supplements are now being illegally sold in the market. He went on to claim legal action would be taken against those involved in this trade. The Directorate of Health official stressed the RUCF and RUTF supplements are not meant for general use, and those taking it without the prescription of a physician might witness its negative impacts on health.
ENDS
