17 May 2012 – Malnutrition is a huge challenge for Punjab, and Pakistan in general, said Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Health, Punjab, Kh. Salman Rafique at a one day workshop on nutrition sentinel site surveillance in Punjab on 17 May 2012. 

The workshop was organized by the WHO country office, in collaboration with the provincial department of health. 

He said that that the levels of malnutrition are unacceptably high and not only represent a challenge in reaching the Millennium Development Goals but will constrain economic growth.

According to the National Nutrition Survey 2011, 58 per cent of households are food insecure in Pakistan and 59.5 per cent in Punjab, said Dr Khizar Ashraf, WHO Technical Officer for Nutrition.

More than 29.7 per cent of children under-5 are underweight for their age, 43.7 per cent are affected by stunting and around 15.1 per cent by wasting.

In addition, 62.1 per cent of children and 26.1 per cent of pregnant women in Pakistan have anaemia.