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Ammon News - Health Minister Firas Hawari has reaffirmed his ministry's commitment to achieving key health and nutrition goals, such as breastfeeding and feeding children under the age of five and women of reproductive age, as well as reducing the double burden caused by the high prevalence of overweight, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies.

The minister made the remarks on Tuesday at the start of the first scientific forum on maternal, infant, and young child nutrition, which is being held by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Jordan Nutrition Innovation Lab, a Tufts University-led project funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Jordan has reduced the prevalence of malnutrition through the rollout of food fortification policies and programs, most notably flour fortification, salt Iodiazation, and a program to distribute vitamin A capsules, according to the minister.

He indicated that Jordan's health policy is primarily informed by science and dialogue with the local, regional, and international academic community, emphasizing the value this conference adds to the exchange of cutting-edge knowledge and evidence for the advancement of science-based practices.

Sherry F. Carlin, the director of USAID's mission in Jordan, emphasized that the conference will play a crucial role in establishing a forum for the exchange of information and best practices that will bring about a significant change and paradigm shift in the Jordanian health sector, particularly with regard to maternal and child nutrition and health indicators.

Carlin revealed that the Jordan Community Health and Nutrition Project, which is funded by USAID, had recently launched the first local Lactation Consultant Certification to promote healthy breastfeeding practices.

In addition to empowering women, she asserted that this initiative will help decrease childhood developmental delays, obesity risks, and non-communicable disease rates.

Iman Badran, the chair of the scientific committee of the conference, indicated that the event aims to advance evidence-based practices for healthy diets and nutrition for women, newborns, and young children.

She explained that the three-day conference will examine the most recent scientific evidence pertaining to the health and nutrition of mothers, infants, and young children in Jordan, as well as the synergies between this evidence and current programs and policies.

Officials from the Ministry of Health, United Nations organizations, academics from various Jordanian universities, USAID programming officers, and other nutrition and maternal and child health specialists and researchers will speak at the conference.