CRM is concerned over
the deaths of newborn
and under five children in Tharparkar
Islamabad- March 11, 2013: The Child Rights
Movement (CRM) Pakistan is concerned over the reported deaths of newborns and
under five years old children in Tharparkar due to various diseases which are
closely linked with famine like situation in the area. “This is an alarming
situation and requires an effective and sustainable solution to ensure
children’s lives are saved”, said the movement of more than 100 Non Governmental
Organisations which is working for the promotion and protection of child rights
in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s maternal mortality ratio and
newborn and under five mortality rates are quite high and malnutrition is one
of the key contributing cause of almost 45% of all preventable under five
deaths in the country said CRM Pakistan’s in its press release. The federal and
provincial governments should respond seriously by taking emergency as well as
long term development steps to ensure that famines and poor nutrition among
children is prevented.
The Government of Sindh should immediately
send teams of doctors to Tharparkar to help mothers and children who are
affected by under nutrition and provide them with not only medical treatment
but also nutritious food. The Government should also start implementing the
Multi Sectoral Nutrition Strategy to overcome the malnutrition and food
security issues in the province on sustainable basis which will also help
prevent not only under five and maternal deaths but will also promote healthy
growth of children. The issue of under nutrition among children and women is
not an issue to be handled by the Department of Health and or Food only rather
there is a need to involve Departments of Education, Agriculture, Food, Zakat,
Social Welfare and Women Development, Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP),
Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and the Civil Society and media to
respond to the situation.
According to Article 38 (d) of the
Constitution of Pakistan it is the responsibility of the State that all
citizens are provided with “basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing,
housing, education and medical relief” however, the findings of the
National Nutrition Survey 2011 clearly reveal that little or no focus has been
given to the right to food in Pakistan which is resulting in various health
related problems among women and children. The federal and provincial
governments should prioritise nutrition and food security and take immediate
steps to prevent any future catastrophe recommended the CRM.
