Funds for ‘Maternal Nutrition Programme’ to be increased

Islamabad:The funds for the ‘Maternal Nutrition Programme’ will be increased, as announced in the declaration issued at the ‘National Dialogue on Maternal Nutrition Policy’ organised by the Federal Ministry of National Health Services and Nutrition International, says a press release.

Speaking at the dialogue, Dr. Fauzia Hanif, deputy director of Newborn Health and Nutrition, said that 41.7% of women in Pakistan suffer from anaemia, 14.4% are underweight, and 24% are overweight. Undoubtedly, such alarming statistics demand collective action to improve maternal nutrition in the country. If not addressed, the nation may face a generation of malnourished children, leading to losses in human capital and economic damage. She appealed to all stakeholders for collective and coordinated efforts to develop a comprehensive strategy based on Pakistan’s Costed Multisectoral National Nutrition Action Plan 2023-2030.

She further stated that according to the Cost of Inaction tool developed by Nutrition International, anaemia among girls and women in Pakistan costs the national economy $595 million annually, which amounts to 0.2% of the Gross National Income. If no action is taken to address these challenges, 23.9 million new cases of anaemia among girls and women could emerge each year. Clearly, investing in maternal nutrition and taking immediate action is crucial and essential.

Dr. Irfanullah, deputy country director of Nutrition International Pakistan, said, “For more than two decades, Nutrition International has been a key ally of the Pakistani government in improving the nutritional status of women, adolescent girls, and children.” He added, “Our efforts focus on providing essential micronutrient supplementation, strengthening the capacity of healthcare providers, and ensuring quality care for positive pregnancy outcomes and safe births. Nutrition International fully supports this declaration and is committed to working with the government and other stakeholders to achieve these goals.”

The joint declaration was endorsed by the provincial health departments of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, as well as other stakeholders including Nutrition International, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and others.

The declaration aims to accelerate the implementation of the ‘Pakistan Maternal Nutrition Strategy 2022-27,’ which will provide a unified maternal nutrition package from pre-pregnancy care to post-natal care. The declaration also commits to integrating maternal nutrition into existing health services and the Universal Health Coverage framework, increasing public funding for maternal nutrition programs, and strengthening preparedness and response systems to meet the nutritional needs of women in emergencies.