Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The implementation of Pakistan Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategy and Provincial Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategies were discussed to explore synergies with key stake holders for accelerated response to malnutrition in the country, in a roundtable conference hosted by the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Secretariat, Pakistan in collaboration with SUN Civil Society Alliance (CSA) and Nutrition International in Islamabad.

Nutrition International Country Director Dr Naseer Muhammad Nizamani welcomed the honourable guests for participating in this important meeting. He shared the achievements of CSA in highlighting the nutrition agenda at the highest policy levels and role played for implementation of provincial Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategies and nutrition specific legislations. He expressed the hope that today’s roundtable discussion will facilitate in identifying specific directions for the future actions of different stakeholders for accelerating implementation of Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategies at national and provincial level.

In his opening address, Planning Commission Food Security & Climate Change Member Dr Azeem Khan thanked all the participants for recognising the importance of malnutrition and need to devise action plans in the light of Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategies at national and provincial levels. He stressed the role of key stakeholders – politicians, government, development partners, civil society and media – for addressing and reversing the malnutrition situation and importance of collaborative and synergistic approach for the same reason. He hoped that concrete action points will emerge from today’s discussion to guide the future actions for collaborative inter-sectoral interventions for improving nutrition situation in Pakistan on priority basis.

Planning Commission SUN Focal Person & Chief Nutritionist Muhammad Aslam Shaheen shared the salient features of Pakistan Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategy with the participants, along with the significant and pivotal role played by the SUN Secretariat Pakistan for coordinating and guiding the efforts to address malnutrition in the country. He emphasised the importance of the affirmative action and sustained political will by the policy makers for translating national commitments to actionable interventions. He also stressed the essentiality of cross-sectoral collaboration and cooperation of stakeholders for enabling the implementation of government strategies and programmes.

The Provincial SUN Focal persons from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) updated the participants about the implementation status of the Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategies of their respective regions and apprised about the ensuing challenges and future directions.

During the open discussion, development partners highlighted the areas where they can contribute and play their role for amplifying the government efforts and response towards malnutrition. They ensured their continued support for the cause of nutrition in Pakistan.

Ministry of National Health Services & Regulations Nutrition Director Dr Baseer Achakzai shared that Pakistan has invested many resources with the help of development partners in nutrition. Government’s commitment and resolve is very much present and displayed at the highest levels and there is increasing focus on ignored/vulnerable areas like FATA and AJK.

He said challenge is to involve different departments at district level in efforts to improve nutrition. The civil society should play their part in mobilising the masses for nutrition and raising awareness at the grass root level. He said that he responded to 79 questions raised in the parliament in the last six-seven months of the parliament which shows keen interest of political leaders on the subject of nutrition.

Speaking on the occasion, SUN CSA Chairperson Samia Liaquat Ali Khan ensured all the stakeholders of the continued and proactive role of SUN CSA. She said that CSA will be closely coordinating with government and other SUN Networks to chalk out tangible plans for addressing malnutrition, particularly focusing most vulnerable areas.

Barrister Syed Zafar Ali Shah a senior politician appreciated SUN CSA for initiating debate on implementation of Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategies. He ensured his full support on parliamentary forums through enabling legislative environment and allocation of additional budgetary allocation for nutrition.

In his closing address, Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform Secretary Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui highlighted the resolve and commitment of the government to address malnutrition situation in the country. He said nutrition is very important, but it needs more and immediate focus at all levels. All political parties should make commitment for this holy cause, as it saves lives.

Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui appreciated the updates, challenges and way forward from all the regions and provinces. Multi-Sectoral collaboration is crucial for making things work. He ensured that he will personally take the responsibility to improve this collaboration.

He stressed that the PC1’s and nutrition programs should be fast tracked to address this challenging issue. He also advised to chalk out a plan for Rs 10 billion block allocation which was allocated in annual budget 2018-19.

Shoaib encouraged the stakeholders to reach out to the government especially planning commission as their role is that of collaboration and coordination.

Published in Daily Times, July 14^th 2018.