QUETTA: The Australian government through the World Bank is supporting the Balochistan government to address malnutrition issue and promote breastfeeding and its AUD 17 million projects will improve access to nutrition in seven districts of Balochistan, Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson said.

According to a statement issued here, Ms Adamson said that the Australian government would continue these projects to improve nutrition for women and children.

She said these projects would also educate and encourage women to breastfeed, where possible.

Meanwhile, the Australian High Commission and the World Bank staff met Balochistan Secretary of Health Dr Muhammad Omer Baloch and other top officials concerned here to assess the progress on the Australian governmentfunded projects.

Speaking on the occasion, the secretary of health said that improved coordination between development partners and the Balochistan government was essential for the success of various nutrition projects under way in the province.

Speaking on the occasion, Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development Muhammad Dawood Bareach said that the provincial government had sanctioned Rs106 million last year for the nutrition project and this year Rs96 million had been allocated.