Pakistan Medical Association sounds alarm over ‘serious’ national hunger crisis

Pakistan Medical Association raises alarm over serious hunger crisis

KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has raised a red flag over Pakistan’s deteriorating hunger situation, as the country ranks 106th out of 123 nations in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2025, placing it in the “Serious” hunger category with a score of 26.0.

Calling it a public health catastrophe, the PMA said the crisis extends far beyond economic hardship, threatening the cognitive, physical, and economic future of Pakistan’s young population. “The GHI score of 26.0 is a reflection of our collective policy failure on food security and nutrition,” the statement read.

The association noted that hospitals and clinics across Pakistan are increasingly burdened not only by acute illnesses but also by the long-term impacts of malnutrition. “When nearly 40% of our children are stunted, we are condemning an entire generation to reduced potential, poor learning outcomes, and diminished productivity,” the PMA emphasized.

PMA’s two-pronged action plan

1. Immediate Measures for Food Supply and Health

The PMA has urged the government to take swift and evidence-based actions to tackle the nutrition emergency, including:

• Declare a National Nutrition Emergency: Launch targeted nutritional interventions focusing on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life — from conception to age two — to prevent stunting and wasting.
• Ensure Affordability and Access: Provide targeted subsidies and strengthen social safety nets to make nutritious food accessible to low-income families. The PMA also recommends fortification of essential foods like wheat flour, salt, and oil with iron, zinc, and vitamin A.
• Invest in Clean Water and Sanitation: Highlighting that unsafe water and poor sanitation remain key drivers of malnutrition, the PMA called for increased investment in these areas to improve food absorption and overall child health.

2. Long-term agricultural and nutritional revolution

To ensure sustainable food security, the PMA proposed structural reforms in agriculture and nutrition policy:

• Climate-Resilient Farming: Implement a national policy for climate-smart agriculture, encouraging drought- and flood-resistant crops and efficient irrigation systems.
• Boost Research & Development: Increase funding for R&D to develop high-yield, nutrient-rich crops and ensure that modern agricultural knowledge reaches small-scale farmers.
• Empower Farmers Economically: Ensure fair crop pricing and timely procurement to strengthen the economic backbone of food security and incentivize sustainable production.

A call for national commitment

In a powerful closing statement, the PMA declared:

“The time for lip service is over. Food security is inseparable from national security and public health. Pakistan needs an Agricultural Revolution — not only to feed its people today but to protect their health and future prosperity.”

The association urged federal and provincial governments, health agencies, and the private sector to coordinate efforts toward a unified national nutrition and food security policy.

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