In Pakistan, maternal nutrition is a pressing issue that affects a significant portion of the female population. According to recent statistics, 41.7% of women suffer from anaemia, 14.4% are underweight, and 24% are overweight. These alarming indicators highlight the need for immediate action to address the nutritional needs of women in the country. Failure to do so could result in a generation of undernourished children and significant human capital and economic losses.
To tackle this urgent challenge, federal and provincial governments, along with key stakeholders, recently signed the ‚Bhurban Declaration‘ to reaffirm their commitment to enhancing maternal nutrition in Pakistan. The declaration, endorsed by the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSRC), provincial health departments, and organizations such as Nutrition International, WHO, UNICEF, and the World Food Programme, aims to accelerate the implementation of the ‚Pakistan Maternal Nutrition Strategy 2022-27‘. This strategy focuses on a unified maternal nutrition package that covers pre-conception to postpartum care, integrating maternal nutrition into existing health services, increasing public funding for maternal nutrition programs, and strengthening emergency response mechanisms for addressing women’s nutritional needs.
Dr. Fouzia Hanif, Deputy Director of Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child Adolescent Health and Nutrition at MoNHSRC, emphasized the importance of targeted interventions to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. She highlighted the critical role of maternal health in society’s development and urged all stakeholders to collaborate in developing a holistic approach to maternal nutrition. Dr. Hanif also mentioned the Pakistan Costed Multi-Sectoral National Nutrition Action Plan 2023-2030, which has already been endorsed by MoNHSRC, as a crucial framework for advancing maternal nutrition in Pakistan.
At a time when Pakistan is reflecting on its past commitments, such as those made at the Tokyo 2021 Nutrition For Growth Summit, the ‚Bhurban Declaration‘ comes as a timely initiative. The country is preparing ambitious targets to improve the nutrition of women and girls, reduce anaemia, and showcase progress at the upcoming Paris 2025 Nutrition For Growth Summit. Additionally, Pakistan will present its efforts to address malnutrition at the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement’s Global Gathering this year.
Maternal nutrition has long been a significant issue in Pakistan, impacting the health of both mothers and children. The National Nutrition Survey of Pakistan 2018 revealed that women of reproductive age face a triple burden of malnutrition, including undernutrition, overweight, and micronutrient deficiencies. The Cost of Inaction Tool, developed by Nutrition International, estimates that anaemia in adolescent girls and women costs the economy USD 595 million annually. Without intervention, 23.9 million new cases of anaemia among girls and women could emerge each year, underscoring the urgent need for investment and action in maternal nutrition.
Dr. Irfanullah, Deputy Country Director for Nutrition International in Pakistan, highlighted the organization’s dedication to improving the nutrition status of women, adolescent girls, and children. Their efforts focus on providing essential micronutrient supplementation, strengthening healthcare providers‘ capacity, and ensuring quality care for positive pregnancy outcomes and safe births. Dr. Irfanullah expressed full support for the ‚Bhurban Declaration‘ and emphasized Nutrition International’s commitment to working collaboratively with the government and other stakeholders to achieve the goals outlined in the declaration.
In conclusion, addressing maternal nutrition in Pakistan is crucial for the health and well-being of women and children. The ‚Bhurban Declaration‘ signifies a collective commitment to enhancing maternal nutrition and breaking the cycle of malnutrition in the country. With concerted efforts from all stakeholders, there is hope for significant progress in improving maternal nutrition and building a healthier future for generations to come.
