Islamabad: In a significant move to combat maternal malnutrition, the Government of Pakistan, along with provincial governments and key international and local stakeholders, signed the Bhurban Declaration today. This initiative aims to advance maternal nutrition and integrate it more deeply into the national health services. The agreement was reached during the “National Policy Dialogue on Economic Case for Maternal Nutrition,” which highlights the critical state of maternal health in the country.
According to Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination, the signing event was a collaborative effort between the federal and provincial health departments and organizations such as Nutrition International, WHO, UNICEF, and the World Food Program. The Bhurban Declaration is a pledge to accelerate the ‘Pakistan Maternal Nutrition Strategy 2022-27’ and promises to enhance the maternal nutrition package from pre-conception to postpartum care. It also focuses on increasing public funding for maternal nutrition programs and strengthening emergency response mechanisms to meet women’s nutritional needs.
Dr. Fouzia Hanif, Deputy Director at the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination, emphasized the urgency of addressing poor maternal nutrition indicators. “The current situation highlights the need for targeted interventions to stop the cycle of malnutrition affecting multiple generations,” Dr. Hanif stated. She called for a unified approach based on the Pakistan Costed Multi-Sectoral National Nutrition Action Plan 2023-2030 to improve the overall development of society and the health of future generations.
The declaration also aligns with Pakistan’s review of past commitments from the Tokyo 2021 Nutrition For Growth Summit and its preparation for the upcoming Paris 2025 Summit, where it aims to set ambitious targets to improve women’s nutrition and reduce anaemia. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address the long-standing issue of malnutrition in Pakistan, which significantly affects women and children’s health. The National Nutrition Survey of Pakistan 2018 pointed out that women of reproductive age face a triple burden of malnutrition: undernutrition, overweight, and micronutrient deficiencies.
Dr. Irfanullah, Deputy Country Director – Pakistan for Nutrition International, shared his organization’s commitment to the cause: “For over two decades, we have supported the Government of Pakistan in improving the nutritional status of women, adolescent girls, and children,” he said. Dr. Irfanullah highlighted Nutrition International’s continued support for essential micronutrient supplementation, capacity building for healthcare providers, and ensuring quality care for positive pregnancy outcomes.
The Bhurban Declaration represents a crucial step towards significant improvements in maternal health across Pakistan, aiming to create a healthier future for both mothers and their children.