Advancing maternal nutrition
Transforming lives and building a healthier future for Pakistan’s most vulnerable
Over the past decade, Pakistan has made important progress in maternal and child health, reducing child mortality by 26 per cent between 2010 and 2020, while increasing awareness about the role of maternal nutrition in healthy pregnancies. Despite these improvements, Pakistan continues to face protracted malnutrition challenges, which have been exacerbated by climate-induced shocks, frequent food price hikes and disease outbreaks.
The rising price of food – doubling between 2020 and 2023 – has left approximately 60 per cent of the population unable to afford healthy diets. Food insecurity is particularly acute in Balochistan and Sindh, where 38 per cent of children under 5 experience severe food poverty and 47 per cent face moderate food poverty, intensifying health and developmental risks.
To address critical needs, UNICEF, backed by the CNF, launched a comprehensive effort to support the Government of Pakistan’s maternal nutrition programming. The initiative has mobilized and trained health care providers, nutrition assistants and Lady Health Workers to administer a life-changing intervention: MMS, a blend of 15 essential vitamins and minerals proven to enhance maternal health and nutrition.
Building on this progress, the CNF, UNICEF, the Pakistan Ministry of National Health Services and Provincial Departments of Health are now ramping up the programme to reach 1.75 million women with MMS by 2027 – all as part of UNICEF’s Maternal Nutrition Acceleration Plan.
The CNF also supported IFA supplementation for almost 299,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women. Community engagement was critical, with over 716,000 mothers and caregivers receiving IYCF counselling, reinforcing healthy habits at home.
Looking ahead, the CNF aims to further expand nutrition interventions to additional districts and improve quality in existing areas. By focusing on maternal nutrition, strengthening the health system, empowering health workers and preventing child undernutrition, this CNFsupported initiative is transforming lives, strengthening families and setting a sustainable path towards a healthier future for Pakistan’s most vulnerable populations.
Sustained action: The Match Window at work
The CNF Match Window has catalyzed transformative nutrition outcomes in Pakistan. By doubling government investments, the initiative significantly amplified support for maternal and child health. In 2023, over 59,700 women received vital MMS, directly contributing to healthier pregnancies and birth outcomes. Simultaneously, domestic investments in life-saving RUTF grew steadily, scaling up treatment from 46,700 children in 2022 to reach over 370,000 severely wasted children in 2024.
Number of children and women reached with RUTF and MMS through the Match Window
