SHAFAQNA PAKISTAN (Shia News Agency)-
Pakistan has an alarmingly high level of malnutrition; 24 percent of the population is undernourished. The most recent estimates by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) state that 37.5 million people in Pakistan are not receiving proper nourishment. The issue is complex and widespread, with deficiencies ranging from protein to iodine, along with other health problems due to insufficient intake of these essential nutrients. The recent floods that hit Pakistan in 2010 and 2011 affecting more than 20 million people, damaging different urban and rural areas and causing immense damage to the infrastructure and agriculture of the country also worsened the scenario, increasing the percentages. The deficiency of essential nutrients has increased the incidence of infectious diseases, leading to an overall increase in the pediatric mortality and morbidity. Malnutrition in Pakistan is mainly due to poverty, rising inflation, lack of proper hygiene, clean water, and sanitation systems and the lack of interest by the government and health care providing authorities. But children from wealthier households also suffer from malnutrition either due to improper eating habits or excessive calories in the diet. However Small studies have from time to time found that poverty alone is not the problem; malnutrition has been found even in households that can afford sufficient food, simply because of people’s lack of awareness about a proper diet and food nutrients. Despite number of programs like Millennium development program, Pakistan still has a long way to go before it can completely get rid of this menace. There is dire need to expedite efforts to control this rapidly burgeoning issue.
pakistan.shafaqna.com