Planning minister calls stunting a 'national development challenge'

An international conference, “Act For Nutrition: The Emergency We Can No Longer Ignore,” is underway in Islamabad to address Pakistan's pervasive nutrition and stunting crisis. With over 40% of children under five suffering from stunting, a maternal mortality rate of 155 deaths per 100,000 live births, and malnutrition costing the nation an estimated $17 billion annually, Pakistan stands at a critical juncture.

The conference gathers policymakers, international development leaders, health professionals, and nutrition experts to confront the crisis and forge a path towards urgent, coordinated action.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that the nation's vision for 2047 is being shaped today, beginning with the health of mothers, nutrition of infants, and development of children. Iqbal called for a collective commitment to ensure every child is nourished, protected, and given a fair start, stating that investment in nutrition is not charity but an economic policy essential for the knowledge economy, productivity, and equality.

The minister stressed that the first five years of a child's life are crucial, as 90% of brain development occurs by age five. Neglecting this period undermines all subsequent investments. Iqbal highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's commitment to addressing malnutrition and stunting as a national development priority, likening the quality of human resources to the foundation of any nation's progress.

DawnCEO Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani pointed out that the nutrition crisis varies across Pakistan, necessitating tailored responses. She highlighted the economic and social costs of malnutrition, surpassing IMF borrowing costs, and called for shared responsibility among health, agriculture, water, education, social protection, and economic sectors. Lakhani stressed that tackling nutrition is not solely a health ministry issue but an intersection of critical national priorities requiring collective commitment.