ISLAMABAD: The National Nutrition Survey (NNS) 2011 has reported that 29.7 percent of children in Pakistan are underweight, with some difference between those in the urban area and those in the rural areas.
The rural-urban difference analysis in the NNS highlights that 12.8 percent of children were severely underweight in the rural areas and 8.4 percent in the urban areas.
The survey pointed out that robust interventions and strategies were still needed to counter the problem of malnutrition.
Pakistan’s high rates of child mortality, with malnutrition and preventable diseases being key contributing factors, can be addressed by implementing measures in the areas of health, nutrition, water and sanitation, NNS said in a report.
It said that key challenges included lack of integrated management system for childhood illness, lack of availability and access to health facilities, and a low level of awareness regarding health services.
The most common causes of death, haemorrhagia and sepsis, are closely related to poor hygiene conditions, the report pointed out.
They are easily preventable through improved conditions at delivery, the report added.
Internews
