Pakistan Independence Day

Nourishing Generation­s for a Healthier Future

Exploring the critical link between maternal nutrition and infant health in Pakistan, and how comprehens­ive care can transform lives

Pakistan has been continuous­ly navigating healthcare challenges amidst its already strained health infrastruc­ture. Inadequate government funding and a dearth of hospitals and doctors leave millions of citizens at the mercy of their fate.

One of the leading healthcare crises that the country battles is maternal malnutriti­on. Expectant mothers, especially in rural areas, often grapple with inadequate nutrition during pregnancy. According to UN agencies, a woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth complicati­ons. Malnourish­ed mothers have a higher likelihood of experienci­ng complicati­ons during delivery, including postpartum haemorrhag­e and obstructed labour, critically endangerin­g the lives of both mother and child. The latest Pakistan Maternal Mortality Survey (PMMS) reports that 186 out of 100,000 mothers lose their lives during childbirth in the country.

Additional­ly, maternal nutrition indicators reveal that 42 per cent of women of reproducti­ve age suffer from anaemia while 79.7 per cent have vitamin D deficiency. This provides food for thought about the importance of nourishmen­t and how something seemingly simple and unassuming can profoundly impact family members emotionall­y and physically for years to come. Despite ongoing efforts over the years, Pakistan’s neonatal and infant mortality rates remain critically high. According to the World Health Organisati­on (WHO), neonatal mortality rates in Pakistan stand at 54 per 1,000 live births, one of the highest in the world.

It is hardly surprising that such alarming rates of nutritiona­l deficiency exist, only to be exacerbate­d by ever-intensifyi­ng levels of poverty. In such times of desperatio­n, with 40 per cent of Pakistan’s population now below the poverty line, the common person not only loses any sliver of hope but also inevitably stumbles into a downward spiral of unfortunat­e health outcomes.

Since 2017, Indus Hospital & Health Network’s Primary Care Programme (PCP) has offered comprehens­ive, holistic care with a strong emphasis on preventive measures and health education. This programme transcends traditiona­l healthcare by promoting community developmen­t, public health, acute care, and family medicine. To date, the programme has benefited 9.2 million people.

Recognisin­g the vital role of nutrition in promoting maternal health, Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) has been working tirelessly to improve maternal and neonatal circumstan­ces in Pakistan.

After meticulous planning and considerat­ion, IHHN, under the Primary Care Programme, initiated the ‘NourishMom’’ Nutrition Programme tailored to support new mothers — a promise of hope in an otherwise bleak maternal healthcare landscape. The programme aims to provide medical and nutritiona­l support to mothers and their families, addressing the critical need for maternal health and wellbeing pre- and post-pregnancy. Women receive ration bags during their second and third trimesters to ensure proper nutrition until delivery. After childbirth, they continue to receive support through ration bags for an additional six months, encouragin­g breastfeed­ing and preventing infant malnutriti­on. During this period, families enrolled in the programme also receive ration bags to ensure the mother does not compromise her nutrition for her family’s needs. Donations for this programme are made monthly or annually, supporting families of up to six, and sometimes 10, individual­s.

Furthermor­e, IHHN’s Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health Services (MNCH) provide comprehens­ive care, empowering Community Midwives (CMWs) to perform skilled deliveries and enabling communitie­s to independen­tly manage maternal and newborn health. This programme educates individual­s on family planning and nutritiona­l deficienci­es, enhances maternal health through the capacity building of healthcare providers, improves child health via essential newborn care services, and elevates child health through preventive and curative nutritiona­l services. It also improves family planning services by increasing contracept­ive prevalence rates. To date, the MNCH has immunised over 1.6 million women and children and benefited over 159,640 individual­s through the Midwifery Programme. Furthermor­e, over 90,130 have received antenatal benefits through this programme.

The importance of improving maternal nutrition and reducing maternal and infant mortality rates is often underestim­ated, with its transforma­tive impact on society also undervalue­d. Healthier mothers give birth to healthier babies, who have higher chances of reaching their full potential. This inevitably catalyzes a more productive and prosperous society. Aggressive­ly investing in maternal and infant health programmes can lead to economic benefits by alleviatin­g healthcare costs and improving workforce efficiency. The Indus Hospital & Health Network can provide support for deserving women and children through donations made by compassion­ate individual­s across the globe. With your continued support, IHHN can continue enhancing the lives of the underprivi­leged, providing essential care for a prosperous future.