On Monday September 30, President Emomali Rahmon held a government session, according to the Tajik president’s official website.  

A report by the Minister of Health and Social Protection Nasim Olimzoda on the program for prevention obesity and formation of healthy eating habits, designed for 2019-2024 was heard at the meeting.  

The necessity of developing this program has reportedly been caused by increase in the number of noncommunicable diseases in the country.  

The survey findings show that low nutrient intake and increased consumption of instant foods, foods with a high content of fat, sweet carbonated drinks, sugar and salt led to the development of chronic noncommunicable diseases in the country.  

Emomali Rahmon ordered relevant agencies to take specific measures to study, prevent and treat obesity within the framework of the country’s nutrition and physical activity strategy designed for 2015-2024.  

The government members also discussed a number of draft laws and sent them for consideration to the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament).  

Besides, the government members discussed a draft motor transport code, a draft water code, the national strategy of adaption to climate change designed for the period to 2030, and regulations on the Kulob Free Economic Zone (FEZ).