Acknowledging the efforts of the government of Australia, the National Fortification Alliance (NFA) and World Food Programme (WFP) Pakistan, Minister for National Health Services (MNHSRC) Saira Afzal Tarar said that Pakistan is one of the countries in the world with the highest rate of malnutrition.
The Australian government announced additional support of one million dollars to the government of Pakistan and the United Nations WFP Pakistan to improve nutrition, eliminate hunger and attain food security by fortifying food.
The announcement followed the official launch of a strategy, which has a support from the WFP Pakistan, NFA and the MNHSRC and aims to layout key actions for overcoming the micronutrient deficiencies in Pakistan known as “hidden hunger”.
Speaking at the landmark event on food fortification here on Thursday, she said the government is encouraging the initiatives for the food fortification of major staple foods to effectively addressing the issue of micronutrient malnutrition through concerted efforts of all the provinces, partners and stakeholders. The National Fortification Alliance was reconstituted under MNHSRS.
The National Nutrition Survey carried out in 2011 revealed continued high rates of micronutrient deficiencies in children and women. A total of 62 per cent children are anaemic, 54 per cent are vitamin A and 40 per cent are Vitamin D deficient. Similarly, 51 per cent mothers are anaemic, 42 per cent suffer from Vitamin A and 68 per cent from Vitamin D deficiency. The problem imposes on Pakistan an annual economic burden of around 3.5 billion dollars, equivalent to around 2pc of Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The government of Pakistan is cognizant of the situation; and we clearly recognise that without improving the nutritional outcomes for our people, not only we limit their right to healthy and productive lives but also compromise Pakistan’s march towards economic progress.
Tarar said that the health ministry is working in close liaison with its valued partners to eliminate hunger, attain food security and improved nutrition by achieving the goals of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). ”
After the revitalisation of National Fortification Alliance in 2015, Provincial Fortification Alliances have been constituted in all the provinces. She said a revision of food fortification standards, including those for wheat flour, according to the need of the population, following international guidelines and as per regional recommendations was a major step.
The minister further said that with highest level of government ownership and commitment, nutrition has been center staged in our policies and strategies which are being translated into programmes and projects.
She said fortification programs require the collaboration of the public and private sector. So a strong need was felt to develop the National Strategy for food fortification interventions in Pakistan.
“I hope that this work does not stop here and we see the provincial fortification strategies building on the guiding principles and recommendations outlined in the national strategy,” she added.
Jurek Juszczyk, the Acting High Commissioner to Pakistan, said that Australian government has supported the National and Provincial Fortification Alliances of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh since June 2015. “Today I am proud to announce that we are extending our support for another year,” he said.
WFP Pakistan Country Director and Representative, Finbarr Curran said, “The government of Australia has been a proactive partner in working with us and the government in addressing food security and nutrition in Pakistan. We are very confident that this wide-ranging food fortification strategy will have a positive and long term impact on the economic development of Pakistan.”
