ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities concerned to launch nationwide programme, in coordination with provincial governments to overcome challenge of child stunting.

Chairing meeting to discuss issue of child stunting, he called for formulation of comprehensive plan for protection of children against fatal diseases, for population welfare and for coping with health sector issues.

According to World Health Organisation, child stunting refers to child who is too short for his or her age and is result of chronic or recurrent malnutrition. Stunting is contributing risk factor to child mortality and is also marker of inequalities in human development.

PM Shehbaz said that government in collaboration with provincial governments, would take priority measures for better child growth to achieve country’s bright future. Similarly, nationwide awareness campaign was also equally essential to do away with issue of stunting, he added.

He thanked international experts participating in meeting which featured presentation of statistics on children’s growth by World Bank.

Participants were told that significant ratio of children in Pakistan suffered stunted growth caused by lack of basic healthcare and nutrition, contaminated drinking water, poor cleanliness and lack of awareness of children’s growth. Prime Minister instructed relevant authorities to present comprehensive plan on matter immediately.

Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema, PM’s Coordinator Malik Mukhtar Ahmed, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Jahanzeb Khan, World Bank Country Director Najy Benhassine, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Abdullah Fadil and Country Director of World Food Programme Coco Ushiyama attended meeting.

Provincial chief secretaries Dr Zulfiqar Ali Bhutta, Dr Sajid Sufi, Dr Ijaz Nabi and other experts joined meeting via video link.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 18 2024

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