It was realised that a multi-sectoral national nutrition policy could serve as a key guiding document endorsed by all provinces to substantially reduce levels of malnutrition.
The Pakistan Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategy (PMNS) has been developed to define roles and responsibilities of different sectors and actors to capitalise on opportunities to develop and implement proven nutrition interventions to lower the human, social and economic burden of malnutrition.
This was stated at a consultative meeting of the national technical advisory and advocacy group for the formulation of the ‘Pakistan National Health Diet Policy’. The government has joined the global scaling up nutrition movement to harmonise nutrition efforts to maximise the impacts.
According to a statement, the participants appreciated that a number of initiatives had been taken by the government and other stakeholders. However, it was realised that a multi-sectoral national nutrition policy could serve as a key guiding document endorsed by all provinces and areas to substantially reduce levels of malnutrition across all the population segments.
This will also help mainstream nutrition in national socioeconomic development plans of the provinces and areas in line with the global and national/provincial priorities. Member Agriculture Food Security Nutrition and Climate Change Dr Hamid Jalil said nutrition was a multi-sectoral subject hence all relevant public and private sector partners needed to be onboard while formulating the policy. He said the roles and responsibilities of all partners to lower burden of malnutrition should clearly be chalked out to make everyone accountable.
Director Policy and External Relations Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Steve Godfrey said the absolute number of malnourished populations was increasing so there was a need for strong collaboration and the coordination between the stakeholders for robust policy formulation and implementation.
GAIN’s Senior Policy Adviser Faiz Rasool highlighted the vision and commitment of alliance for food system transformation globally and in Pakistan. He expressed the organisation’s full support to the government regarding the policies and food systems dashboard.
Technical Adviser of the Ministry of National Food Security Dr Akmal Siddique highlighted the need and importance of a practical schedule, role of stakeholders in public, private and development sectors.
Originally published at Dawn