IslamabadAround 30% of children in Pakistan are chronically malnourished and 2.1 million babies are born in Pakistan with severe intellectual impairment caused by iodine deficiency. According to a report launched by SPARC, the recent statics of World Health Organization (WHO) are higher, indicating 33.3% of children under 5 as being underweight.
An estimated 460,000 under the 5, die each year in Pakistan, one of the biggest rates in South Asia. The under 5 mortality rate stands at 89 deaths per 1,000 live births, showing only a one point reduction from last year. It is estimated that 35% of the diseases that burden children under 5 years are linked with malnutrition.
Talking to media, Child Rights Coordinator, Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC), Shaista Kiran said the first two years of a childs life are particularly important as optimal nutrition during this period will lead to reduced morbidity and mortality, reduced risk of chronic diseases and an overall better development.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Child (UNCRC), every infant and child has the right to good nutrition. Globally,30% of children under 5 are estimated to be stunted and 18% have low weight for height, mostly as a consequence of poor feeding and repeated infections.
Shaista Kiran said government has aimed at ensuring a 100% availability of iodized salt in the market by 2015. Recent floods in the country also resulted in the loss of food crops which further worsened food security in addition to increased incidences of water borne diseases such as diarrhoea.