MALNUTRITION:
THE LARGEST KILLER OF CHILDREN IN PAKISTAN

Malnutrition commences as moderately acute Malnutrition (MAM) in a child. If MAM is not treated in time then it progresses to the more severe form of severe acute Malnutrition. Across the world, Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is the largest killer of children under five years of age, contributing to nearly half of all childhood deaths. Defined by a very low weight to height ratio, visible severe wasting, or by the presence of nutritional edema, an estimated 20 million children suffer from SAM, and malnutrition contributes to the death of more than 3 million children a year, globally. Severe acute malnutrition is hunger and starvation clinically defined as inadequate intake of proteins and nutrients. Without proper treatment, the majority of children who survive live with a great risk to their health, as well as cognitive and physical deformities including stunted brains. They thus become a liability to their family and the country.

EFFECTS OF MALNUTRITION

Malnutrition affects the future health and socioeconomic development of children who thus cannot make a meaningful contribution to Pakistan’s economy with low productivity and impaired learning. dynamic prospective of the society in any country. The problem occurs mainly in families suffering from the impact of chronic poverty and low incomes. It also causes stunted growth, affecting development of the brain, which is irreversible.

Almost half of all stunted children reside in Asia, 51 million {8%} children under five years of age are wasted, and two thirds of all wasted children live in Asia. Pakistan has been reported to have one of the highest levels of prevalence of child malnutrition compared to other developing countries. Many of these families have limited access to nutritious food and dietery education. Unfortunately, this description characterizes the living conditions of a large number of Pakistani citizens and very little has been done to address the problem. Malnutrition increases the risks of infections like polio, typhoid, measles among other illnesses. This leads to death as such children lack immunity and become prone to infections. The most frequent causes of death from malnutrition in children under 5 years old are acute diarrhea and respiratory infection.

Children in Pakistan

0
%
are Stunted

Children in Pakistan

0
%
underweight and wasted

Children in Pakistan

0
%
Suffering from Malnutrition

The Problem

Children of any age can be malnourished, but most children who suffer from both severe and acute malnutrition are between 6 months to 5 years of age. Malnourishment  is diagnosed by measuring the middle upper arm circumference (MUAC). The tape is colored red for severe malnutrition, yellow for moderate malnutrition and green for normal.

This is a vulnerable period in a child’s life because in about the sixth month breast milk no longer adequately provides all the needed nutrition for a child. The mother therefore needs to add other nutritious food to the diet. It is important after the sixth month that the child receives proper diet and nutrients to develop, sustain and grow up as a healthy child.

Our Solution

TMSG mission is to reduce
malnutrition and stunting.
This aligns with number
2.2 of the 17 UN
Sustainable Development Goals
which states
Zero Hunger/malnutrition and stunting.

Trust for Malnutrition and Stunted Growth gives treatment for severely and moderately malnourished children with stunted growth by providing therapeutic food (RUTF) and supplementary food (RUSF).

A Trust has been registered in Karachi during November 2018, called “Trust for Malnutrition and Stunted Growth” (TMSG).
Key sponsor is Rotary Club of St Catharines South, Canada who is providing financial support along with other Rotary Clubs in North America and Rotary Club of Karachi as a host club in Pakistan.

Trust for Malnutrition and Stunted Growth

The Trust for Malnutrition and Stunted Growth has been formed to make a small dent in the serious menace of malnutrition and stunting in Pakistan. As per 2018 National Nutrition Survey 40.2% of child population is stunted, 17.7% wasted and 33% underweight, with resultant deaths and adverse impact on the economy. 12 million children under five are affected. The Government and International Agencies also recognize this long
festering issue, who are now providing added focus to tackle it. Stunting impacts ability of brain to function properly and thus a child cannot
absorb learning or function properly once brain development stops, which continues into adulthood with physical impairment. 

TMSG aim is to provide Ready to use Therapeutic/Supplementary Food (RUTF & RUSF) to treat menace of malnutrition, expand outreach and reduce treatment costs by substituting imports. Where needed TMSG can possibly reach out for training in malnutrition. RUTF is peanut based and RUSF chick pea based-each 92 grams sachet provides 500 calories, one which can be fed daily to a malnourished child, for 6-8 weeks as outpatient. Local production has now started and a sachet cost is approximately Pak Rupees 50 ( US $ 0.35) or Rupees 3000 (US$ 20) treatment cost approximately per child. TMSG has an excellent relationship with a local highly professional key supplier to World Food Program (WFP) and UN Agencies for RUTF & RUSF.

The Result

The Impact

To support local economy, generate employment and reduce imports TMSG arranges for purchases of local production and partners with medical NGOs to treat malnourished children and mothers via funding RUTF/RUSF sachets. Such NGOs are selected after detailed due diligence to ensure required skills and personnel to follow necessary protocols. Idea is to expand outreach and serve areas which are underserved, in Sind and Karachi where the NGOs have dispensing clinics. Local purchases help reduce supply and costs uncertainty associated with imported products.

Nourishing Mothers

Due to serious nature of child malnourishment TMSG focus is presently on this area. However Maternal care is also critical, which can reduce child malnourishment. A healthy mother can provide nutrients in womb and breast feeding to her child – this addresses malnourishment at source. Thus plan is to eventually expand into Mother malnourishment also by providing necessary products to give both Mother & Child care coverage, through ‘Nourishing Moms’.

Our Partners

A highly encouraging start has been made by TMSG through partnering with a well known Hospital. 150,000 sachets of local RUSF have been provided in early 2020 to their four clinics in Karachi to treat moderate and severely malnourished children. The project is well underway and initial results are very encouraging, which seem to justify need for further continuing support by TMSG. Apart from RUSF treatment a number of critically malnourished children were identified and referred to hospitals for stabilization , while scores of malnourished children are being treated. Another charitable hospital is in process of being added as a dispensing partner. 

Trustees

• Aziz Memon – Chairman representing Rotary Club of Karachi.
• Najeeb Syed – representing Rotary Club of St. Cathrines South, Canada.
• S. Fahim Ahmad – representing Rotary Club of St. Cathrines South, Canada.
• Anjum Nisar – representing Rotary Club of Karachi.
• Ajaz Saya – representing Rotary Club of Karachi.
• Iqbal Adamjee – Independent Trustee.
• Zia Abbas – Independent Trustee. (Canada)

Help TMSG buy supplement sachet to treat some of the millions of severely malnourished children and moms.

Your Participation – Donate to:

Trust for Malnutrition and Stunted Growth
Account No: 0005- 1006669347
IBAN: PK55ALFH0005001006669347
Banker: Bank Alfalah Limited
Branch: Main Branch, I.I. Chundrigar Road. Karachi

Office Address: 91 Shahrah-e-Iran, Clifton,
Karachi 75600, Pakistan
Telephone: +92 21 3586 7771 Ext. 6,
Telephone: +92 3587 2368
email: azizmemon3@gmail.com