Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Health, Dr. Nadeem Jan, revealed an integrated strategy to combat malnutrition during a productive meeting with US Ambassador Donald Blome, where they discussed crucial health-related matters. The minister emphasized the Ministry of Health’s dedicated efforts to address malnutrition by forming a task force that ensures synchronized actions among federal and provincial entities, as well as donors and stakeholders. Dr. Nadeem Jan also highlighted the broader impact of their integrated approach, utilizing the services of dedicated polio workers in areas such as family planning, nutrition, and immunization programs.
Astonishingly, surveys indicate that over 40% of women and children in Pakistan suffer from deficiencies in vital vitamins and minerals, contributing to undernutrition-related deaths accounting for 45% of mortalities in this demographic. The primary deficiencies among children include iodine, vitamin A, iron, folic acid, and zinc.
The US Ambassador expressed admiration for the Health Minister’s swift actions and reforms aimed at safeguarding both the country and the world from epidemics and diseases. Moreover, Dr. Nadeem Jan proudly shared that Pakistan successfully hosted the Global Health Security Summit in Islamabad, receiving commendation from the US Ambassador for their visionary approach to the Global Health Security Agenda, which is of utmost importance in the present circumstances. The United States has pledged its cooperation to advance the cause of global health security in this regard.
Acknowledgement: Published in Dawn on 13-02-2024
