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Pakistan’s largest province, Aluchastan, which covers 44 % of the country’s land, is the poorest and most developed. Despite a lot of natural resources, the province faces poverty, 71 % of its population is less than poverty line. In recent years, poverty has increased. The situation has increased due to unemployment, increasing mental health crisis and widespread nutrition in newborns. Political instability, governance issues and permanent violence have long hindered the province’s financial stability, which has caused millions of people to be silent.
The most destructive result of this ongoing crisis is the spread of malnutrition and amazing growth in children. Due to lack of access to hygiene and nutritious food, newborn children and young children have had severe health problems. According to a 2019 study of the integrated food security phase classification, severe malnutrition affects about 400,000 children under the age of five, with more than half of the 6-59 months in Balochistan suffering from this deadly condition. Among the worst affected regions are the dishes in Kech District, southern Balochistan.
Benazir Nashonoma: a lifeline
In an attempt to counteract malnutrition, the government has launched the Benazir Nishunoma program, which aims to deal with stunting in pregnant and breastfeeding women (PLW) and children under the age of two. The program provides additional food and health care services to weak communities. In the district, where the malnutrition rate is alarmingly high, the first game changer has been. With the support of the Benazir Income Support Program and the World Food Program, 83 health centers, including the District Headquarters Hospital, Maternity and Children’s Health Centers, Rural Health Centers and Basic Health Units, are working to provide health care services in four parts of the catch.
The program has changed the concept of healthcare behavior among local communities. Earlier, malnutrition and stunting were often excluded as normal conditions, with no medical intervention. However, awareness campaigns by dedicated health teams have begun to change this mentality. The presence of local health centers ensures that women and children now have access to the most essential medical help.
Stories of survival and hope
In remote villages of catch, the effects of malnutrition are deeply personal, which affects families in many ways. Daily Ahmed, who is a housewife and mother from Kech’s disintegration, tried to treat various herbs for his nutritional baby, just to look helplessly as his condition deteriorated. Financial tension and frustration, he hoped at the Benazir Nishunoma Center, where health workers advised him to nutrition. After months of permanent care and treatment intervention, her baby’s health has improved dramatically. It has been a normal transfer from severe malnutrition. With tears in his eyes, Daily told me: “I am very grateful for the program that gave my baby another chance of life.”
Poverty and malnutrition in Balochistan are not just statistics. They are living facts for countless families. Programs such as Benazir Nishonoma offer a shining offer of hope, but the main reasons for this crisis – unobtrusive employment, governance issues and food insecurity – request permanent efforts.
Zainab Bibi, another mother from Kudan, lost a baby a few years ago as a nutrition. It is determined to ensure that others do not face the same heartbreak, he became a focal person in his village, who spread awareness about the importance of proper nutrition. After that she has taught countless women on dietary needs to ensure that anticipated and nursing mothers need their help to keep their children healthy. “After nourishing two children, I learned how to fight it. I wish I would have been implemented before the Benazir Nashonoma program – maybe I didn’t lose my children.
A young mother, who was struggling with malnutrition, was barely able to take care of her child due to extreme fatigue and dizziness. A doctor visiting her village sent her to the Benazir Nathanoma program, where she received consultation with therapeutic and nutrition.
“Within months, my health improved significantly. It allowed me to resume my daily responsibilities with new energy and confidence. I was surprised,” he said.
The long road forward.
Although the Benazir Nishunoma program has created hope for thousands of families, the fight against malnutrition in Balochistan is far away. The program currently targeted some of the most poorest areas, including Kosar, Kadan, Kutti, Zaronbag, Machit, Balnagoor and Dinder, where access to health care has become a challenge. Long -term investment in healthcare infrastructure, health care infrastructure, food safety and economic stability are important.
Poverty and malnutrition in Balochistan are not just statistics. They are living facts for countless families. Programs such as Benazir Namnoma offer a shining offer of hope, but the main causes of this crisis – non -employment, governance issues and food insecurity – require permanent efforts. Since the province is struggling to free from poverty cycle, stories of mothers such as Zainab and Ashasha work as a reminder for the urgent need for continuous intervention.
Silent crisis in Balochistan demands attention. Both provincial and federal government and NGOs have to take steps to ensure that no child is hungry and every mother has the means to raise her family.
For a long time, both provincial and federal governments have focused their efforts to deal with poverty in Balochistan’s urban centers, which has ignored remote villages.
“Sixty to seventy percent of the population of Balochistan lives in rural areas, where they suffer from malnutrition, hunger and sickness. The focus on cities and district headquarters has increased the needs of these rural communities,” said Shazia Aziz, a school teacher in Kaden.
The author is a psychologist.
