Global approach with local action to transform maternal nutrition

Islamabad:The health of mothers and their children begins with proper maternal nutrition. Ensuring essential nutrients during pregnancy and early childhood prevents stunting, wasting, cognitive impairment, low resistance to infections, and increased disease risk. According to Pakistan’s Maternal Nutrition Strategy (2022–2027), women of reproductive age face a triple burden of malnutrition: undernutrition, overweight/obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies. The National Nutrition Survey (NNS) 2018 confirms this alarming reality—14.4% of women were underweight, 24% overweight, and 13.8% obese. Anemia prevalence was high at 41.7%, while vitamin A deficiency was estimated at 22.4%. These deficiencies are more than a public health issue; they fuel a vicious cycle of malnutrition with long-term economic and generational impacts.

In response, the Serena Hotel in Islamabad became a hub of global expertise and national resolve on April 22, 2025, as the Junaid Family Foundation (JFF) hosted a landmark seminar, “Strengthening Maternal Nutrition: Global MMS Insights & Pakistan’s Journey.” The event spotlighted a vital but often overlooked issue—maternal malnutrition—and aimed to generate actionable dialogue on scaling up Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) in Pakistan. A foundation with a purpose: JFF, a US-based philanthropic organization chaired by Pakistani-Americans Ansir & Sufia Junaid, is dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities through education, equity, healthcare, and civic engagement. JFF has emerged as a key driver of maternal health advocacy, uniting government, civil society, academia, and development partners to advance nutrition reform.

In 2019, JFF conducted a feasibility study to assess health infrastructure and address Pakistan’s high maternal mortality rates linked to malnutrition. In 2020, it established the MMS Pakistan Advisory Group and developed a Situation Analysis Report to guide the national MMS strategy. JFF’s Chair also led diplomatic efforts to secure import permits and strategic documentation for implementation. In 2021, during a pilot phase, JFF and MMS manufacturer Kirk Humanitarian (KH) donated 129,600 bottles of MMS to pregnant and lactating women in seven underserved districts, marking Pakistan’s first large-scale MMS distribution. In 2022, JFF and KH donated 1.036 million bottles to Sindh and Balochistan. Distribution concluded in early 2024, with 98% reaching beneficiaries. Another one million bottles were delivered in 2024 across 32 high-burden districts nationwide. The program now aims for 100% national coverage by the end of 2025, supporting Pakistan’s transition from Iron-Folic Acid (IFA) to the more effective MMS. Over four years, JFF’s efforts with partners will have supported over 2.2 million women—an investment worth $5.5 million.

Ansir Junaid, reflected on the foundation’s journey and its deep commitment to maternal health: “The health of a nation begins with the health of its mothers. At JFF, we believe every mother deserves the opportunity to thrive, and every child deserves a healthy start. We’re proud to stand beside our partners and the Government of Pakistan to make maternal nutrition a right, not a privilege.”

Maternal malnutrition remains a major challenge in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan. While Iron Folic Acid has long been the standard supplement, global studies show that MMS is more effective in reducing low birth weight, maternal anemia, and child stunting. Dr. Abdul Ghaffar, JFF’s Senior Technical Advisor, emphasised this shift, calling maternal nutrition “a critical issue demanding urgent, scalable solutions.”

Mirza Nasir Ud-Din-Mashood Ahmad, Special Secretary of Health for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (MoNHSR&C) highlighted the government’s collaborative approach: "We are thankful to all stakeholders working to improve the lives of mothers and children. Maternal nutrition is often overlooked, especially in remote areas. With provincial governments and partners like JFF, we are committed to scaling up MMS nationwide." The seminar also featured insights from Dr. Emily Smith (George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health), Sharmeela Rassool (Unicef Pakistan), Dr. Mehreen Mujtaba (MoNHSR&C), Dr. Shabina Raza (Nutrition International), Zeina Sifri (Gates Foundation), and Dr. Shamsa Rizwan (PAF Hospital), among others. Experts shared evidence on MMS effectiveness, international models, integration strategies, and local manufacturing considerations.

Pakistan’s journey toward full-scale MMS adoption is underway. Programs by JFF, KH, and partners, working closely with the government, have shown measurable improvements in maternal and neonatal health.

The success of MMS in Pakistan will depend on sustained partnerships, evidence-based policy, and community-level engagement. As momentum builds, the goal is clear: ensuring that every woman in Pakistan has access to the essential nutrients she needs—for herself, her child, and the generations to come.