ISLAMABAD: The implementation of the multi-sectoral nutrition strategy and provincial multi-sectoral nutrition strategies were discussed at a roundtable here on Friday to explore synergies with key stakeholders for an accelerated response to malnutrition in the country.
The roundtable was attended by over 80 participants including senators, senior officials of the federal and the provincial governments, representatives of the UN agencies, development partners, INGOs and civil society organisations and was hosted by SUN Secretariat in collaboration with the SUN Civil Society Alliance (CSA) and the Nutrition International.
Planning, Development and Reform Secretary Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui highlighted the resolve and commitment of the government to address malnutrition situation in the country. He said that the nutrition was very important, but it needs more and immediate focus at all levels. He said that all political parties should make commitment for this holy cause, as it saves lives.
He appreciated the updates, challenges and way forward from all the regions and the provinces. He said that the multi-sectoral collaboration was crucial for making things work and assured that he would personally take the responsibility to improve this collaboration. He stressed that the PC1 and nutrition programmes 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 Siddiqui encouraged the stakeholders to reach out to the government especially the Planning Commission as their role was that of collaboration and coordination as time was essence and running out fast.
Senior politician Syed Zafar Ali Shah appreciated the organisers for initiating the debate on the implementation of multi-sectoral nutrition strategies. He assured his full support on parliamentary forums through enabling legislative environment and additional budgetary allocation for nutrition.
Nutrition International Country Director Dr Naseer Muhammad Nizamani shared the achievements of the civil society alliance 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 would facilitate in identifying specific directions for the future actions of the different stakeholders for accelerating implementation of multi-sectoral nutrition strategies at national and provincial level.
Planning Commission’s Food Security and Climate Change Member Dr Azeem Khan thanked all the participant for recognising the importance of the 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 like politicians, the 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 discussion to guide the future actions for collaborative inter-sectoral interventions for improving nutrition situation in Pakistan on priority basis. Chief Nutrition 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 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 policymakers for translating national commitments to actionable interventions. He stressed the need of the cross-sectoral collaboration and cooperation of the stakeholders for enabling the implementation of the government strategies and the programmes.
The provincial focal persons from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (including FATA), Balochistan, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan 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 assured their continued support for the cause of nutrition in Pakistan.
Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination Nutrition Director Dr Baseer Achakzai said that Pakistan has invested many resources with help of development partners in nutrition. He said that the government’s commitment and resolve is very much present and displayed at the highest levels. He added there was increasing focus on ignored and vulnerable areas like Azad Kashmir and the tribal areas.
He said that the major challenge was to involve different departments at the district level in efforts to improve nutrition. He said that 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 to seven months of the parliament which shows keen interest of political leaders on the subject of nutrition.
Speaking on the occasion, Samia Liaquat Ali Khan from the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) assured all the stakeholders of the continued and proactive role of SUNCSA. She said that CSA would be closely coordinating with the government and other SUN networks to chalk out tangible plans for addressing malnutrition, particularly focusing most vulnerable areas.