A meeting was held in the Planning and Development Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, under the chairmanship of Secretary Health, Mr. Shahidullah, to discuss the findings of recent research conducted by Health section KP-SPRING in the districts of Peshawar and Swabi on the prevalence and determinants of stunting among children. The Chief Economist, P&D, Mr. Arifullah Awan, was also present in the meeting along with representatives from various sections of P&D. The session brought together key health officials, nutrition experts, and development partners to review evidence-based insights and formulate actionable strategies to address the issue.
The research findings presented highlighted the high prevalence of stunting in the two districts, emphasizing several key determinants, including maternal health and nutrition before and during pregnancy, inadequate infant and young child feeding practices, poor sanitation and hygiene conditions, low household income and food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare and awareness.
Secretary Health, Mr. Shahidullah, appreciated the efforts of the research teams and underscored the urgent need for coordinated, evidence-based interventions to reduce stunting rates. He advised the formulation of a comprehensive provincial plan focusing on strengthening maternal and child nutrition programs, enhancing community-based awareness campaigns, improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, and expanding research to other districts for comparative analysis and better targeting of interventions.
The meeting concluded with a consensus to develop a multi-sectoral action plan aimed at reducing stunting prevalence and ensuring sustainable child health and nutrition outcomes across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
