In a deeply disturbing account of the prevalent levels of chronic malnutrition in this country, a recent newspaper report quotes the National Nutrition Survey, 2011, to show that one-third of all children in this country are underweight, nearly 44 percent stunted, 15 percent wasted, and almost one-third of children are anemic due to iron deficiency. In many cases, the problem starts with malnutrition among women which contributes to fetal restriction and, in turn, multiplies the risk of growth and stunting in the offspring. Behind foregoing cold statistics is the story of lives that never cross age five, and of the surviving ones failing to attain normal height and/or suffering from life-long cognitive, motor and health impairments. Which means these people will never realise their full potential. This tragic waste of human capital holds serious consequences for the overall national endeavour towards progress and prosperity.
Chronic malnutrition, needless to say, is linked to pervasive poverty which with its concomitant problems of unhygienic living conditions, unsafe drinking water, lack of latrines and difficult access to medical facilities is at the root of unnecessary human suffering. The first ever official report on Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), unveiled by the Minister of Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal last June, gives an idea of the extent of this affliction. According to the report, nearly 40 percent (38.8 %) of Pakistan's population lives in poverty, and a vast majority of rural population (54.6 percent) in acute poverty. This should worry the policy makers. Indeed, the government has shown some interest in the issue by establishing focal points in provincial planning and development departments as well as the Planning Commission, but as the latest MPI shows there is hardly any improvement. The issue is too serious to be allowed to drag on.
It may not be possible to remove chronic malnutrition in a hurry but the governments, both at Centre and in the provinces, must get their respective acts together and do whatever it takes to ensure people have decent food. Interventions need to be made through well thought-out, result-oriented programmes. One obvious place to start is the schools. That though will accrue limited benefits, considering that stunting starts at pre-school age and is irreversible, hence a strategy needs to be devised to stop the damage at an early stage. Towards that end, introduction of food stamps for poor families can help. Awareness campaigns about cheap and nourishing foods can also contribute to health promoting eating. Pakistan needs to learn from the successful examples of other countries as well. In a joint newspaper article, Acting Country Representative of the World Food Programme and head of nutrition at World Food Programme, suggest replicating the model of Peru which, they point out, with its innovative, result-based budgeting system of accountability and independence has managed to halve its stunting rates. For that to happen, though, provision of nutrition has to be a governmental priority.