The World Health Organization (WHO) and Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) announced an expanded partnership to combat severe acute malnutrition, aiming to treat 80,000 children annually through 199 centres nationwide by 2025.
The initiative was announced during a joint visit to the Nutrition Stabilization Centre (NSC) at Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital, led by BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid and WHO Representative Dr. Dapeng Luo.
Senator Rubina Khalid stressed the urgency of expanding services and said stunting is not just physical, it affects cognitive development. she asserted, ensuring healthy mothers and children is their national duty.
She further informed that currently, 43,000 children receive treatment annually at 169 NSCs under the Benazir Nashonuma initiative. Since 2022, over 46,000 children have been treated, and 64,000 mothers and caregivers have received health counselling. WHO’s commitment includes technical support, medical supplies, and collaboration with UNICEF and the World Food Programme to reinforce Pakistan’s malnutrition response.
Dr. Dapeng Luo said that a 98 per cent recovery rate is an excellent achievement. But one child lost to malnutrition is one too many. As climate impacts deepen, our response must grow stronger. Pakistan ranks among the ten worst-affected countries for child undernutrition. Nationally, 40 per cent of children under five are stunted, 17.7 per cent are wasted, and 15 million are at risk. Malnutrition is estimated to cost the economy $17 billion annually 6.4 per cent of Gross National Income.
The partnership also targets 120,000 caregiver counselling sessions annually by 2025, alongside expanded therapeutic services. Seen as a model for integrated care, the programme combines financial support with medical interventions. WHO ensures compliance with global standards, while BISP provides a safety net for vulnerable families. As food insecurity and climate-related health challenges grow, the partnership offers vital early intervention for at-risk children.