The Pakistan Medical Association has expressed its concern and urgent action on the ongoing report on hunger and disease in Pakistan by the United Nations subsidiary bodies. Photo: File
Karachi: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has expressed its concern over the mention of Pakistan and the challenge of hunger and disease in a report issued by two international organizations.
A few days ago, the United Nations subsidiary bodies The World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have released their detailed report on ‘Global Centers of Hunger’. In which Pakistan was included with many African countries and expressed its concern and danger.
According to a report by WFP and FAO, food insecurity in Pakistan has reached alarming levels, affecting millions of individuals and families across Pakistan. The PMA has said that malnutrition has serious negative consequences on the health and well-being of the people. A poor diet disrupts brain development, with effects that can last a lifetime.
PMA has demanded immediate action from the government in this regard.
According to the report of FAO and WFP, Pakistan ranks ninth in the world under severe malnutrition, where at least 8.6 million people in three provinces are suffering from severe (acute) malnutrition. According to the report, if Pakistan’s economic crisis subsides, some better results may come out. This includes the floods of 2022, which left millions of people without homes and food and now vulnerable to hunger, poverty and disease.
Urges the government, non-governmental organizations, civil society and relevant stakeholders to jointly implement a comprehensive strategy to tackle this critical issue. This includes measures such as increasing agricultural production, expanding storage and distribution systems, promoting modern farming practices, and strengthening the social safety net to help the poor. PMA said in its press release.
Additionally, the PMA calls for increased investment in health system development and strengthening for medical facilities and nutrition awareness. Effective public-private partnerships should be established to mobilize resources and expertise to address the multifaceted challenges of food insecurity in Pakistan. There is also a need for public awareness and awareness in this regard.
The government has been asked to adopt food security as a national agenda and allocate resources. The policies and programs in this regard should be implemented immediately.
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