Lack of nutrition in Pakistan

That Pakistan was able to achieve just a solitary target on nutrition is surely sad but definitely not shocking. The annual report on Global Nutrition puts Pakistan among twenty such countries – and even the one target achieved appears in jeopardy. The report has come right before the United Nations member states’ planning to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) later this month.

The report that is empowered by the Global Nutrition Report Stakeholder Group and produced by Independent Expert Group (IEG) argued that it should be clear from the get-go that to drive sustainable development, good nutritious are the cornerstone. Despite the incentives to overcome malnutrition, it remains a massive problem. Malnutrition affects all countries and every third person on the planet experiences it. However, countries are trying to gather the momentum and are beginning to deliver results, but turning the tide of decades of neglect will not be easy.

Unlike Pakistan, host of countries including Egypt, Ethiopia, Nepal and nearly all of the Indian states have made major gains in tackling malnutrition. The report gave credit to a political environment that takes actions to improve nutrition. These countries made committed investments in high-impact, cost-effective nutrition interventions, and adopted policies in a broad range of economic and social sectors expected to contribute to nutrition advancement.

However, the situation in Pakistan is quite alarming and concrete steps are needed to fix the issue. Only 43 percent of children have avoided stunting or wasting in the country. There is no progress from the government to encourage breastfeeding in the country. Out of six WHO targets, reducing obesity is the only one where Pakistan is on target but it is also at risk. Pakistan ranks at the bottom for commitment to reduce hunger and engagement to improve nutrition.

The Global Nutrition Report highlights the urgent need for Pakistan to take actions particularly with regards to under-nutrition and growing obesity in the country. This issue certainly needs an open minded thinking that should be beyond politics. The sustainable development goals are a great platform for the government to make sure that Pakistan has achieved food security and improved nutrition.