Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued instructions on Friday for the relevant authorities to initiate a countrywide initiative, in collaboration with the provincial governments, to address the issue of child stunting.
The prime minister presided over a meeting to address the problem of child stunting and emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to protect children from fatal diseases, promote population welfare, and address healthcare issues. Child stunting, as defined by the World Health Organization, refers to a child who is too short for their age due to chronic or recurrent malnutrition. It not only increases the risk of child mortality but also reflects inequalities in human development.
PM Shehbaz expressed that the federal government, in collaboration with provincial governments, will prioritize measures to improve child growth for a brighter future of the country. Additionally, a nationwide awareness campaign is crucial to eradicate the issue of stunting.
He expressed gratitude to the international experts who participated in the meeting, where the World Bank presented statistics on children’s growth. The participants were informed that a significant number of children in Pakistan suffer from stunted growth due to inadequate healthcare, nutrition, contaminated drinking water, poor sanitation, and lack of awareness about children’s growth.
Furthermore, the meeting also highlighted the prevalence of tuberculosis, hepatitis, diabetes, and other fatal diseases in Pakistan, along with suggestions to overcome them.
The prime minister has directed the relevant authorities to promptly present a comprehensive plan regarding the matter at hand.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema, PM’s Coordinator Malik Mukhtar Ahmed, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Jahanzeb Khan, World Bank Country Director Najy Benhassine, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Abdullah Fadil, Country Director of World Food Program Coco Ushiyama, and other globally recognized experts.
Additionally, provincial chief secretaries Dr Zulfiqar Ali Bhutta, Dr Sajid Sufi, Dr Ijaz Nabi, and other experts participated in the meeting through a video link.
