Malnutrition in Pakistan is causing the country to lose an estimated $17 billion each year due to decreased productivity, higher healthcare costs, poor education outcomes, and premature deaths, as per a report by The Express Tribune. The situation is worsened by climate-related disasters, food insecurity, unsafe water, and insufficient investment in nutrition programs.
Despite Pakistan contributing less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains highly susceptible to climate-related crises like floods, droughts, and heatwaves, disrupting food systems and livelihoods. Recent floods have destroyed crops, displaced communities, and disrupted supply chains, impacting access to nutrition and healthcare services.
The report highlights that approximately 58% of household water in Pakistan is contaminated with coliform bacteria, leading to recurrent diarrheal and intestinal infections in children, hindering nutrient absorption even when food is available. Experts mentioned in the report attribute child malnutrition to persistent poverty, food insecurity, and reliance on low-cost diets lacking essential nutrients.
Moreover, rising inflation in Pakistan has led to a decrease in the quality and quantity of food affordable to many households, prompting them to opt for cheaper carbohydrate-rich diets, resulting in deficiencies in crucial nutrients like iron, zinc, Vitamin A, calcium, and protein. The report also points out that Pakistan’s nutrition spending is spread across various sectors without a dedicated budget framework for accountability and impact.
Chronic malnutrition, especially during the first 1,000 days of life, can lead to stunting, impaired cognitive development, lower educational achievements, and reduced economic productivity in the long term, the report warns.
