Act for Nutrition conference: BISP chairperson says malnutrition is a human capital, economic issue
A two-day international conference, ‘Act For Nutrition: The Emergency We Can No Longer Ignore’, is being held at Islamabad’s Serena Hotel on Pakistan’s persistent nutrition and stunting crisis. With more than 40 per cent of children under five stunted, a maternal mortality rate of 155 deaths per 100,000 live births, and malnutrition costing Pakistan upwards of $17 billion annually, the country…
The Act for Nutrition conference in Islamabad is focusing on the urgent issue of malnutrition in Pakistan, with more than 40% of children under five being stunted and a high maternal mortality rate. The conference aims to shift the national conversation from statistics to practical interventions that can improve nutrition outcomes and protect the country's human capital.
Dr Faiza Wahab, a food security adviser, emphasized the importance of focusing on adolescent nutrition, as this period is critical for human capital development and preventing anaemia and iron deficiencies. Ellen Thom, a World Health Organisation official, stressed the need to integrate social protection programmes with health services, while Thomas Conan, a World Food Programme official, highlighted that nutrition is not just about food, but also about a healthy diet and multi-sectoral collaboration.
Brief written by urgent.news from Dawn's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
