Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to combating malnutrition and stunting across the province, bolstered by significant support from UNICEF and USAID.

According to Chief Minister Sindh, the reaffirmation came during a ceremony at UNICEF’s warehouse at Port Qasim, where US Ambassador Donald Bloom handed over Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to UNICEF. The event was attended by notable figures including Provincial Minister of Health Dr. Ezra Fazal Pechuho, BHA Regional Director for South and Central Asia Ms. Ivana Vuko, and USAID Mission Director Kate Som Wangsari. Chief Minister Shah praised the role of these international partners in addressing the challenges brought on by the devastating 2022 floods and highlighted UNICEF’s crucial efforts in revising the Breastfeeding Act and enhancing nutritional support in hard-hit areas.

The Chief Minister noted that UNICEF’s interventions have significantly contributed to early detection and treatment of malnutrition in Sindh, in collaboration with People’s Primary Health Care Initiative (PPHI) and other civil society partners. He also acknowledged USAID’s substantial support through joint health initiatives and a financial contribution that provided 98,500 cartons of RUTF, valued at approximately $4.4 million, to combat child malnutrition in the region.

The event also underscored the strategic role of UNICEF in sectors beyond health, including water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), child protection, and education, with the Chief Minister stressing the importance of ongoing cooperation to tackle the province’s multifaceted challenges. Health Minister Dr. Ezra Pechuho emphasized the provincial government’s commitment, as reflected in the recent enactment of the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breastfeeding and Young Child Nutrition Act 2023 and the allocation of 5.9 billion rupees for multi-sectoral nutrition interventions for 2024-2025.

UNICEF representative Abdullah Fadel highlighted the critical state of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in Sindh, pointing out that the majority of children aged 6 to 23 months are deprived of adequate nutrition, which presents a substantial public health challenge.

The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to enhance the integration of nutrition services into the primary healthcare system and to continue leveraging international partnerships to ensure a healthier future for the children and women of Sindh.