Children are dying due to malnutrition

The Sindh High Court in Pakistan has taken up a case related to frequent deaths in Tharparkar, an arid region of Sindh. According to the Secretary of the Health Department in Sindh, around 1,400 children have died in last three years due to multiple health reasons. This disclosure is an eye opener not for Pakistan, but for all sane organisations working to improve the lives of children around the world. The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and other UN agencies are proudly saying that the ratio of new born mortalities around the world has been reduced, but as per figures of the arid region of Pakistan, South Africa and other countries, this ratio has been increased.

Institutions are less present in these far flung areas, where mostly underprivileged societies are living. Thar, arid region of Pakistan has a population of around two million people. This is one of the most deprived regions of Sindh, Pakistan. Mothers and new born babies are dying due to malnutrition, drought, lack of proper health facilities and other related water and sanitation reasons. Good governance is now a dream in Pakistan and the Sindh government has nothing to do with who has voted them into power. Tharparkar hospitals are facing scarcity of doctors, nurses, paramedic staff and medicine related issues. International donors and organisations are also not properly working in Thar. Their priorities are different, like the Sindh government.

Government and civil society can work together to resolve this issue. Pregnant mothers must be registered from day one in order to be provided all health, food and relevant services at their doorstep. Through this important step new born children can be saved from untimely death. I hope international donors, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and the government can sit together to resolve this important issue amicably.

- The reader is a development consultant based in Karachi, Pakistan.